No golden farewell for Hughes as Legatissimo wins Nassau Stakes

Three-time British champion jockey Richard Hughes failed to sign off his stellar riding career with a fairytale victory in the final Group One engagement of his career the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday.

The 42-year-old Irishman -- who gave up alcohol 10 years ago after admitting he was 'rude and unpleasant' when he had too much -- finished unplaced on the John Gosden-trained Bright Approach.

Hughes, who is also due to quit smoking at the end of the Saturday's meeting to honour a pledge to his trainer father Dessie when he was dying late last year, is set to switch to training having taken a lease out on a stables in Stockbridge, southern England.

"I want to get the business up and running. I certainly want to become as big as possible and become champion trainer one day," said Hughes, who rode 43 Group One winners with his first Oasis Dream in 2003.

At the business end of the race Irish filly and 2/1 favourite Legatissimo eased home to add this Group One success -- and the £360,000 (€510,000, $562,000) first prize -- to the opening classic of the season the 1000 Guineas for trainer David Wachman and owner Michael Tabor.
For jockey Wayne Lorcan it was a bonus win as he benefited from first choice rider Ryan Moore being off games with a sore neck.

Tabor also owned the second filly home in the Aidan O'Brien-trained Wedding Vow (10/1) with outsider Arabian Queen third at 25/1.

O'Brien's more fancied runner Diamonds and Rubies -- who had beaten Legatissimo into second in her previous outing the Pretty Polly Stakes -- faded badly to finish last and Gosden's favoured Star of Seville, the winner of the French Oaks, flattered to deceive leading till two furlongs out under Frankie Dettori before being overwhelmed by the fast finishing pack.  
Source: AFP