Brian Hughes surpassed his own high expectations when reaching a huge career milestone of 200 winners.
The haul, in one season, saw the northern rider join Sir Anthony McCoy, Richard Johnson and Peter Scudamore in the history books. Hughes' win on Dreams Of Home, just days before Sandown's grand finale of the National Hunt campaign, was witnessed by a big crowd at Perth.
"It's not something I ever thought I could achieve, it wasn't a target," he said. "It's always the aim to ride 100 winners [in a season] and 100 winners is a fair achievement, so it just shows the luck I've had and the support I've had from the trainers to get to double that.
"The people I ride for, mainly Donald, their horses have been in brilliant form."
Dreams Of Home, a half-length scorer from Irish raider Coach Carter, was Hughes' 100th winner of the jumps term at Ayr in November. He will be presented with his trophy for winning a second jockeys' title on Saturday.
Hughes' afternoon did not start in the way Tuesday ended, with a winner, when he pulled up Laffite and finished last of five on Uncle Alastair in the first two races. He made it third time lucky when Donald McCain's front runner held on in the Bob Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase.
“It’s a huge credit to him, he never misses anything, he’s the ultimate professional," McCain said. "He’s as dedicated as anybody I’ve ever met in the sport, it’s full credit to him, it’s richly deserved and a mark of honour."
