Training legend Barry Hills dies at the age of 88
Hills took out his licence in 1969 and by the time he retired from the training ranks in 2011 had sent out over 3,000 winners, including two victors in both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, St Leger hero in Moonax and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner in Rheingold.
Hills was also father to retired Classic-winning jockeys Michael and Richard, while son Charlie took over at the family's Faringdon Place yard and has enjoyed a string of big-race victories. Another son, George, bloodstock insurance.
His eldest son, John, was also a successful trainer before his death from cancer in June 2014, with the pair memorably battling it out in the 1994 Leger, when Moonax fended off Broadway Flyer by a length and a quarter.
Barry Hills and son Richard after winning the 2000 Guineas with Haafhd (PA)
In a post on his X account, Charlie Hills said: 'Gone but will never be forgotten #dad.'
A statement from the British Horseracing Authority read: 'All of us at the BHA are saddened to learn of the death of Barry Hills and send our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.
'Barry's contribution to racing was immense and he will rightly be remembered as one of the great figures of our sport.'
Before taking out his training licence, Hills rode nine winners as an apprentice and spent 10 years learning his trade as head lad with John Oxley before striking out his own, saddling his first winner La Dolce Vita at Thirsk in April 1969.
His first Group One winner followed in 1971 while Rheingold's Arc victory in 1973 provided consolation after being beaten just a short head in the previous year's Derby – one of four Epsom runners-up for Hills, who never managed to land the blue riband.
Sir Alex Ferguson listens as Barry Hills (left) and his son Charlie (right) talk to jockey Silvestre de Sousa at York (John Giles/PA)
Newmarket proved a happier hunting ground though, with Enstone Spark (1978) and Ghanaati (2009) landing the 1000 Guineas, while Tap On Wood (1979) and Haafhd (2004) prevailed in the 2000.
While Epsom Derby glory eluded him, Sir Harry Lewis won the Irish version in 1987 and he also bagged the Irish Oaks and 1000 Guineas twice during an illustrious career.
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 following the death of George.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
26 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Dorset delivers victory full of promise at the Curragh
A son of Wootton Bassett who cost €400,000 as a yearling, he was beaten half a length by fellow Ballydoyle inmate Amadeus Mozart over the same course and distance on debut earlier this month, but the 4-9 favourite was much more streetwise on this occasion to register a length and a half success in the hands of Ryan Moore. Dorset joins O'Brien's City Of Troy on the roll of honour for the seven-furlong contest and although he has some way to go before being mentioned in the same breath as the Derby winner, his victory was one of huge potential. O'Brien said: 'He's a straightforward, lovely horse. He came forward from his first start and he will get further. We're very happy. 'He's obviously a Group horse and he'll be very comfortable when he goes up to a mile. He could go to the Tyros, the Futurity or he could go for the Pat Smullen race – that's up to a mile. 'The second horse (Benvenuto Cellini) will be a nice maiden next time, he did everything right.'
Western Telegraph
40 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Barry Hills remembered as ‘one of the greats'
Hills sent out over 3,000 winners throughout his career, with many coming in the colours of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's Shadwell operation, whom his son Richard Hills rode as retained rider for during a large portion of his career. 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.'
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Training legend Barry Hills dies at the age of 88
Hills took out his licence in 1969 and by the time he retired from the training ranks in 2011 had sent out over 3,000 winners, including two victors in both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, St Leger hero in Moonax and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner in Rheingold. Hills was also father to retired Classic-winning jockeys Michael and Richard, while son Charlie took over at the family's Faringdon Place yard and has enjoyed a string of big-race victories. Another son, George, is involved in bloodstock insurance. His eldest son, John, was also a successful trainer before his death from cancer in June 2014, with the pair memorably battling it out in the 1994 Leger, when Moonax fended off Broadway Flyer by a length and a quarter. In a post on his X account, Charlie Hills said: 'Gone but will never be forgotten #dad.' A statement from the British Horseracing Authority read: 'All of us at the BHA are saddened to learn of the death of Barry Hills and send our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this sad time. 'Barry's contribution to racing was immense and he will rightly be remembered as one of the great figures of our sport.' Before taking out his training licence, Hills rode nine winners as an apprentice and spent 10 years learning his trade as head lad with John Oxley before striking out his own, saddling his first winner La Dolce Vita at Thirsk in April 1969. His first Group One winner followed in 1971 while Rheingold's Arc victory in 1973 provided consolation after being beaten just a short head in the previous year's Derby – one of four Epsom runners-up for Hills, who never managed to land the blue riband. Newmarket proved a happier hunting ground though, with Enstone Spark (1978) and Ghanaati (2009) landing the 1000 Guineas, while Tap On Wood (1979) and Haafhd (2004) prevailed in the 2000. While Epsom Derby glory eluded him, Sir Harry Lewis won the Irish version in 1987 and he also bagged the Irish Oaks and 1000 Guineas twice during an illustrious career. 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 following the death of John.
