Who can replace Richard Hughes as Goodwood’s riding king?

Richard Hughes on Toronado in last year's Sussex Stakes / Picture by Clive Bennett

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Richard Hughes is hanging up his riding silks at the end of this week’s Qatar Goodwood Festival – but who can take his place as the riding king of Goodwood?

Here, clerk of the course Seamus Buckley considers who are the pretenders to his crown, and asks whether anyone can be as dominant as Hughes has been in recent season.

I’ve seen many great jockeys in my time in Goodwood but to see how Richard Hughes rides the course has been a privilege and a pleasure, writes Buckley.

He always seems to get up on the line – taking the lead at the very last moment. He’s tall, lean and mean – and patient in the saddle.

Goodwood certainly suits his style of riding and we’ll be sad to see him retire, as will the punters here who back him and back him and so often win.

If I had to pick out a young jockey who has the potential to take over from him as our most successful one, I’d first pinpoint either George Baker or Adam Kirby.

Both remind me of him in terms of their build and both are already quite successful here.