Richard Hughes has carefully mapped out a route to Royal Ascot for Bracken’s Laugh and is excited to see if his ambitious plan will come to fruition when the talented colt competes in the Hampton Court Stakes later this month.
The trainer at Weathercock House, Hughes holds the son of Zoffany in high esteem, as evidenced by his decision to debut him in the competitive Haynes, Hanson & Clark Novice Stakes at Newbury, where he emerged victorious.
Following his debut, Bracken’s Laugh faced Group One competition but fell short in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud. He bounced back with a win at Chelmsford, defeating notable competitors like Orne and Capulet.
Although he finished second at Chester's Dee Stakes, Hughes remains optimistic about his chances at the upcoming Hampton Court Stakes, expecting tough competition from Harry Charlton's King's Gambit.
Hughes, who has ridden 31 winners at Royal Ascot as a jockey, is still aiming for his first win as a trainer. He believes that Bracken’s Laugh, along with his other seven runners, has a strong chance at the prestigious racing event.
Among his other hopefuls are Kamboo in the King George V Stakes, Palace Green in the Golden Gates, No Half Measures in the three-year-old sprint, Real Gain in the Hunt Cup, and Fair Angellica in the Sandringham.
Hughes acknowledges the challenges of Royal Ascot but remains confident in his runners' abilities. He understands the unpredictability of horse racing and knows that even the most promising contenders may not always emerge victorious.