The racing community lost a giant of the sport last weekend following the death of Dessie Hughes who passed away at the age of 71. As a jockey and a trainer, Hughes scaled the pinnacle of National Hunt racing and he was a universally respected and hugely popular figure. The sport is much the poorer for the passing of a man who was unquestionably a true colossus of the Irish racing scene.

As a jockey, Hughes won the 1977 Gold Cup on Davy Lad and the Champion Hurdle on Monksfield two years later. During his time as a trainer, he enjoyed numerous top-level triumphs and enjoyed a memorable series of victories at Cheltenham with Hardy Eustace, who won the Royal & Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle in 2003 before going on to win back-to-back editions of the Champion Hurdle. The iconic figure, who was laid to rest on Tuesday, is survived by his wife, Eileen, his son and champion jockey, Richard, and his daughter, Sandra.

– JF