Barry Hills remembered as ‘one of the greats'
Father and son joined forces to win the 2000 Guineas with Haafhd in 2004, while five years later they added the 1000 Guineas in unison thanks to Ghanaati, with Shadwell's long-serving racing manager Gold hailing Hills' dedication to his craft following many years spent in the upper echelons of the training ranks.
Richard Hills celebrates after riding Haafhd to victory in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket (Chris Radburn/PA)
He said: 'For many, many years we were lucky enough to have horses with him and what a great man, you don't need me to tell you the success he made of his life and career.
'He was a great trainer who was totally dedicated and lived for the sport. He was an incredibly shrewd man and a great judge of a horse and their capabilities from just watching them on the gallops.
'He was a fascinating man to be with and great fun. He was one of the greats in my lifetime and I learned a lot from him and even a month ago he was spotting things out on the gallops and still loved it even though he had given up the licence.'
Hills announced his retirement in August 2011 after overcoming serious illnesses, including throat cancer, but he did make a brief return to training on a temporary licence in 2014, before returning to background at the family's Faringdon Place yard.
Ghanaati and Richard Hills after winning the 1000 Guineas (Sean Dempsey/PA)
However, as the head of a dynasty that is still influential in racing, his name will live on through the exploits of his sons, with Charlie Hills now continuing the Group One success synonymous with the famous Lambourn operation.
'He was a remarkable man and we were lucky to have him for so long, he was so tough,' continued Gold.
'He had been ill on and off for so long, it was just incredible his will to live and enthusiasm for life, a truly wonderful man.
'All five boys were heavily involved. Sadly John died and then you've the twins (Richard and Michael) who everyone obviously know all about and then there's Charlie who trains and George who is making a fine career out in America, so it is a dynasty that will live on, there is no question about that.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Ed Walker targets Prix Foy with Almaqam
While that Sandown rival has gone on to contest – and win – some of the summer's highest profile middle-distance events, Almaqam has only been seen the once since, finishing second to Royal Champion when a beaten favourite at York last month. Almaqam stays on strongly to land our feature event of the evening, the G3 @StarSports_Bet Brigadier Gerard Stakes for @edwalkerracing 🏆 — Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) May 29, 2025 However, Walker is content to sit and wait for the right opportunity for his star colt to advertise his quality on his preferred going, now eyeing a move up to a mile and a half at ParisLongchamp on September 7 which could prove the catalyst for an exciting Arc tilt later in the autumn. 'He's bouncing but it's just a bit frustrating again that we can't get him out and we're just being patient and waiting for some soft ground,' said Walker. 'The plan at the moment is the Prix Foy and that will tell us if we're going to have a crack at the Arc or not or head for the Champion Stakes.' Almaqam was no match for Royal Champion at York (PA) He went on: 'I'm not sure if the ground may have caught him out at York last time really, as it was a very good performance from the winner. Probably the slightly drying ground and slick track just didn't play to his strengths. 'He's a hard horse to beat on soft ground so we just have to be patient.' Almaqam is currently a best price of 50-1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, with odds of 16-1 available for the Qipco Champion Stakes on British Champions Day.
Powys County Times
4 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Carmers in good shape for York clash with Lambourn
Paddy Twomey's unbeaten colt Carmers is aiming for more success on British soil when he lines up in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Wednesday. The Wootton Bassett three-year-old did not run at two, and has not put a foot wrong since making his debut with a win in a Ballinrobe maiden in early May. He then took the Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan by a comfortable three lengths, after which he stepped up to Group Two level at Royal Ascot to claim the Queen's Vase over a mile and six furlongs. The colt is now heading for English shores again with his eye on another Group Two prize, this time stepping back to a mile and a half with Colin Keane booked to ride on the Knavesmire in the absence of the injured Billy Lee. 'He's in very good form,' said Twomey. 'He's trained really well since Ascot and has pleased us in everything he's done, we're really looking forward to getting him back out again.' Carmers' Queen's Vase win at Ascot has looked like an increasingly solid piece of form – the runner-up, Furthur, has won the Geoffrey Freer since and the fifth-placed horse, Scandinavia, has subsequently struck twice when taking both the Bahrain Trophy and the Goodwood Cup. Those performances bode well for Twomey's runner, who will meet dual Derby winner Lambourn at York on quick ground the trainer feels his St Leger contender will relish. 'The race looks like it's worked out really well, the form is very good from Ascot,' he said. 'I think the track at the Knavesmire will really suit him, it's a big, galloping track and it will be fast ground which he really likes. 'He'd be very happy with the ground as it is, it was very quick ground at Ascot and he was very happy on that.' Aidan O'Brien has chosen the Group Two as the next port of call for Lambourn, who has the option of the Leger or Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after this. Impressive at Epsom, he was made to work extremely hard when following up at the Curragh by then stablemate Serious Contender, who had been beaten in a handicap at Royal Ascot and has since been sold to Hong Kong. 'Lambourn has obviously had four races this year, he's fit, so he hasn't done too much since the Curragh,' said O'Brien. 'We've just kept him ticking over really. Los Angeles came from the Curragh and Epsom to this race last year 'Mount Kilimanjaro had a break after winning at Chester. He's just ready to start back really. 'It's the same with Stay True, he just got beat in the Lingfield trial by another of ours (Puppet Master) and we gave him a break as that was just his second run, he's just ready to start. 'They'll improve a lot for the run.' O'Brien also runs Thrice, seventh in the Irish Derby when last seen and prior to that the winner of the Gallinule Stakes. William Haggas is represented by Glasgow Stakes runner-up Arabian Force, while Ralph Beckett's Pride Of Arras, so impressive in the Dante but disappointing since, returns to York having been gelded.
Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Carmers in good shape for York clash with Lambourn
The Wootton Bassett three-year-old did not run at two, and has not put a foot wrong since making his debut with a win in a Ballinrobe maiden in early May. He then took the Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan by a comfortable three lengths, after which he stepped up to Group Two level at Royal Ascot to claim the Queen's Vase over a mile and six furlongs. The colt is now heading for English shores again with his eye on another Group Two prize, this time stepping back to a mile and a half with Colin Keane booked to ride on the Knavesmire in the absence of the injured Billy Lee. 'He's in very good form,' said Twomey. 'He's trained really well since Ascot and has pleased us in everything he's done, we're really looking forward to getting him back out again.' Carmers' Queen's Vase win at Ascot has looked like an increasingly solid piece of form – the runner-up, Furthur, has won the Geoffrey Freer since and the fifth-placed horse, Scandinavia, has subsequently struck twice when taking both the Bahrain Trophy and the Goodwood Cup. Those performances bode well for Twomey's runner, who will meet dual Derby winner Lambourn at York on quick ground the trainer feels his St Leger contender will relish. 'The race looks like it's worked out really well, the form is very good from Ascot,' he said. 'I think the track at the Knavesmire will really suit him, it's a big, galloping track and it will be fast ground which he really likes. 'He'd be very happy with the ground as it is, it was very quick ground at Ascot and he was very happy on that.' Aidan O'Brien has chosen the Group Two as the next port of call for Lambourn, who has the option of the Leger or Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after this. Impressive at Epsom, he was made to work extremely hard when following up at the Curragh by then stablemate Serious Contender, who had been beaten in a handicap at Royal Ascot and has since been sold to Hong Kong. 'Lambourn has obviously had four races this year, he's fit, so he hasn't done too much since the Curragh,' said O'Brien. 'We've just kept him ticking over really. Los Angeles came from the Curragh and Epsom to this race last year 'Mount Kilimanjaro had a break after winning at Chester. He's just ready to start back really. 'It's the same with Stay True, he just got beat in the Lingfield trial by another of ours (Puppet Master) and we gave him a break as that was just his second run, he's just ready to start. 'They'll improve a lot for the run.' O'Brien also runs Thrice, seventh in the Irish Derby when last seen and prior to that the winner of the Gallinule Stakes. William Haggas is represented by Glasgow Stakes runner-up Arabian Force, while Ralph Beckett's Pride Of Arras, so impressive in the Dante but disappointing since, returns to York having been gelded.
