IT was a magnificent meeting and the Qataris, having taken over the whole festival, were understandably delighted, not least because they had more than a sprinkling of winners on the track and Dettori, who rides principally for Sheikh Joann Al Thani, was in wonderful form. He was top jockey, of course, with Richard Hannon the leading trainer, only one winner behind him on five.

The overall attendance over the five days was 103,457, a new record, and there was even a royal winner on the final day. However, the meeting also saw the retirement of three-time champion jockey Richard Hughes, who was cheered to the echo, soaked in champagne by his weigh-room colleagues and surrounded by microphones, cameras and autograph books.

There have been very few jockeys with better judgement of pace than Hughes, and even fewer with his easy-going manner and willingness to engage all and sundry in conversation.

An unassuming son of an unassuming father, nothing is too much trouble for him. Where other sports personalities will pick up the money for routine ghosted columns, his Racing Post article on a Saturday was fresh, lively and informative.

Not all of the horses he tipped could win, but many of them trained by his father-in-law Richard Hannon did. No one ever had a bad word to say about the man who fought back with grim, unwavering determination when the drink threatened to drive him under several years ago.

Again, Hughes’ autobiography is no routine account of big-race winners and champagne moments. He spares himself nothing, banishing the dark days for ever by setting them down on paper.

He won 176 races at Goodwood, his favourite track, including nine at the ‘Glorious’ meeting in 2010.

Sometimes he looked simply unbeatable, motionless and perfectly balanced as others started to push and shove. They loved him in the weigh-room because he remained the same old Hughesie, modest to a fault and straight as a die. Dettori, riding the crest of an unlikely second wave, admitted to a certain sadness.

“He has been a good example for young kids,” he said. “He’s level-headed and a great jockey as well as being a clean rider. He had everything.”

Fittingly, Hughes’ wife Lizzie and his mother Eileen were there on Saturday, the latter admitting to a mixture of pride and sadness, the latter emotion because Dessie was not there to witness this sustained outpouring of affection.

It was a great meeting and a great day; there will no doubt be many more when this most likeable, most approachable of men is training winners instead of riding them.