Dessie Hughes. R.I.P.

[Coggy]

Very sad to hear of the passing of Dessie Hughes after a long illness.
He always came across as an unassuming chap, and a real gent.
Although giving my age away, I remember him riding Monksfield against my all time favourite, Night Nurse, in the mid to late 70s. He always seemed a better jockey than Paddy Broderick to my boyhood eyes.
My thoughts are with his loved ones.

[Nathan Hughes]

Sad news. Thoughts are with his family.
RIP Dessie.

Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026

[thehorsesmouth]

I never saw Dessie riding but I remember him for Cheltenham success with Hardy Eustace, who was at his peak around the time I became interested in racing, and of course Our Conor. It seems somewhat fitting that there are top two mile hurdlers in action today, a type of horse Dessie had so much success with.

I never met him but by all accounts he was a gentleman. RIP

[andyod]

May he receive in passing the credit and praise he earned in life.Goodbye Dessie.You were one of the quiet, silent ones.

[betlarge]

1979 Champion Hurdle finish:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTTj1cRcWbU

Mike

[Oasisdreamer]

RIP Dessie. I had huge admiration for his handling of Hardy Eustace, one of the great Cheltenham heroes of recent years.

I’ve actually just finished reading his son’s book and Dessie came across as a proper racing man throughout. Such a shame he has passed away, I didn’t realise he was ill.

[cormack15]

Sad news, seemed a really decent guy and, in racing terms, one of very few to have ridden a Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle win plus one of few to win Ch Hurdle as jockey and trainer. Not a bad trainer of a jockey either.
Condolences to the Hughes family.

[Author]

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