In its 93 year history the Ayr racecourse in Scotland has helped launch the careers of many of the sports finest jockeys and last September it might have worked its magic again. It was the first running of the William Hill Ayr Bronze Cup and Barry McHugh was on board the Richard Fahey trained Baldemar.
The 18/1 long shot was well placed throughout the race and McHugh was more than confident he’d respond when asked – even though his directions were to make all the running.
No matter, McHugh got the win, on his own terms and that was all that mattered.
So nine months later, the Northern Irish man is again sitting nicely. He’d a date with Royal Ascot. It is, he said, where he’s always wanted to be. “To be at Ascot, well it’s meetings like that you hope to ride in when you start out,” he said. “The big crowds and the feeling, I’d two rides there on the Saturday and people would think you’re only coming down to make up the numbers, but you wouldn’t see it that way at all.”
By his own admission, McHugh has been ‘banging in a few winners’ this season and he said his success on board 12/1 shot Just Lille, in Hamilton on June 9 was his biggest to date.
But such victories once looked unlikely. McHugh has enjoyed two sojourns in the Fahey yard. Though you could say the first was an experience that was more endured.With his weight spiraling, McHugh returned to Ireland after failing to settle in Britain.He said: “I kind of got disillusioned with racing and came back to Ireland. I wasn’t really doing anything then. I was only 18 and my weight went up to 10 stone. But then Richard must have seen something in me because I got the chance to go back over again.”
He added: “I’m involved in horses since I went to Apprentice School in the Curragh at 16. I spent over a year with Paddy Prendergast and then went to Britain and joined up with Richard. It’s been a great move for me. ”
Now he says this season’s success is down to ‘just sticking with it and getting the breaks.’ “I’m doing eight stone, four pounds now with my weight and it’s settled. I suppose when you are younger, it’s a yo-yo effect. But I’m more relaxed with it now. I’d have one good meal a day, usually after finishing racing at about half-six. I wouldn’t really eat anything else, maybe a bar of chocolate to get some energy” he said.
As recently as yesterday McHugh experienced that winning feeling again riding the PT Midgley trained Polish World to success in Beverley. There’s plenty more to come from the young man, and plenty more winners to be ridden.
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