RICHARD Hughes claimed his third jockeys’ title with 161 winners, six more than Ryan Moore.

It looked hard work at one stage, though Moore’s declared intention to ride in Group 1 races around the world left the door open.

“I wouldn’t ride winners if it weren’t for Richard Hannon,” Hughes said. “It was a seamless transition from senior to junior and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Graham Lee, whose switch from National Hunt racing has been so successful, finished third with 129 winners and received the traditional Cock o’ the North cap as top northern rider.

Pressed for a highlight, he had no hesitation in nominating Henry Candy’s Limato, who won the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy and will be campaigned at Group 1 level next year. Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum finished as top owner, while Oisin Murphy was champion apprentice with a final tally of 74, 16 ahead of Cam Hardie.

Murphy, who will be second jockey to Qatar Racing next year, is the latest young rider to come up through the ranks at Andrew Balding’s.

Having taken over from his father, Richard Hannon made the perfect start to his training career when Night Of Thunder won the Qipco 2000 Guineas.

Over six months later, with 198 winners and some £4.69m prize money to his name, he also made sure the trainers’ title stayed at East Everleigh.

With the championship decided on a financial basis, Hannon finished more than £400,000 ahead of runner-up John Gosden with Mark Johnston in third, though the latter sent out 215 winners, a magnificent achievement.

“It was important for me to do it on my own, though Dad is still a massive part of the operation,” Hannon said. “We inherited Olympic Glory and Toronado and they both won Group 1s.

“The biggest regret was Sky Lantern because we never got her back to what she was, but she owed us nothing. In Moheer, Ivawood and Estidhkaar, we’ve much to look forward to.”