Sky Lantern ends Hughes' British Classic pain

Sky Lantern trains in preparation for the 2012 Breeder’s Cup at Santa Anita Park on November 1, 2012 in Arcadia, California. British champion jockey Richard Hughes won his first British classic on Sunday when he took the English 1000 Guineas on Sky Lantern at Newmarket.

NEWMARKET, United Kingdom - British champion jockey Richard Hughes won his first British classic on Sunday when he took the English 1000 Guineas on Sky Lantern at Newmarket.

The 40-year-old Irishman – who had been bitterly disappointed when fancied Toronado failed to shine in the English 2000 Guineas on Saturday – produced a late burst on the 9/1 shot to edge out Just The Judge (7/1) while Irish raider Moth (9/1) was third.

While it was Hughes’s first ever British classic win, for veteran trainer Richard Hannon it came 40 years after his first classic winner with Mon Fils in the 1973 English 2000 Guineas.

Hughes, who is Hannon’s son-in-law, was both relieved and delighted to have at last put an end to the perennial question of when was he going to ride a British classic winner.

“It’s about time!” said Hughes, whose father National Hunt training great Dessie and the rest of his family fortunately stayed on after Toronado’s failure to watch him ride Sky Lantern.

“It’s taken a long time but it is extra special because my family is over to see this moment.

“I always believed in this filly and she thoroughly deserves this. She was tough and stuck her neck out on the line,” added Hughes, who has won Irish and French classics prior to this.

Richard Hannon Junior, assistant trainer to his father, said it was terrific to see Hughes triumph at last and especially as it was one of their horses.

“This is fantastic for we were very low after Saturday and Toronado. We will celebrate this in style as there are a whole load of both sets of families here.

“I am delighted for Hughesy as he is one of the best jockeys in the world. He thoroughly deserves this.”

Big disappointment of the race was the 5/2 favourite Hot Snap. The previously unbeaten Henry Cecil-trained filly was under pressure a long way out and finished ninth of the 15 runners.