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North Wales Chronicle
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 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.
Leader Live
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
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.
Leader Live
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Classic heroes and Arc angel Rheingold on the list of Barry Hills giants
Further Flight Not the classiest performer Hills ever trained, but arguably the most popular and certainly the most hardy. Racing from 1988 to 1998, the grey won 24 of his 70 races, including top staying races such as the Goodwood Cup and Ebor. However, he is best remembered for winning the Jockey Club at Newmarket five years in a row (1991 to 1995). Haafhd Haafhd bridged a 10-year gap without Classic success for Hills in 2004 when landing the 2000 Guineas, ridden by his son, Richard. Haafhd clearly saved his best for Newmarket, as he had earlier won the Craven Stakes and ended his career that autumn with victory in the Champion Stakes. Moonax The most unlikely of Hills' Classic winners was Moonax when he took the St Leger at odds of 40-1. In the expert hands of Pat Eddery, the enigmatic colt defeated none other than Broadway Flyer, trained by Hills' son, John, and ridden by another son, Michael. Moonax showed that victory was no fluke by following up in the French St Leger a month later. Rheingold The best horse Barry Hills ever trained came early in his career. Rheingold almost gave him a Derby triumph, but he was just touched off by Roberto in 1972. However, a year later the colt ran out an impressive winner of Europe's premier race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, beating the brilliant Allez France by two and a half lengths. Tap On Wood Hills' first major success at Newmarket came with Tap On Wood in the 1979 2000 Guineas, as he upstaged hot favourite Kris in the hands of Steve Cauthen. The young American had recently been enticed to Britain at the request of Robert Sangster and showed his prowess by driving Tap On Wood home by half a length.
Rhyl Journal
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Classic heroes and Arc angel Rheingold on the list of Barry Hills giants
Further Flight Not the classiest performer Hills ever trained, but arguably the most popular and certainly the most hardy. Racing from 1988 to 1998, the grey won 24 of his 70 races, including top staying races such as the Goodwood Cup and Ebor. However, he is best remembered for winning the Jockey Club at Newmarket five years in a row (1991 to 1995). Haafhd Haafhd bridged a 10-year gap without Classic success for Hills in 2004 when landing the 2000 Guineas, ridden by his son, Richard. Haafhd clearly saved his best for Newmarket, as he had earlier won the Craven Stakes and ended his career that autumn with victory in the Champion Stakes. Moonax The most unlikely of Hills' Classic winners was Moonax when he took the St Leger at odds of 40-1. In the expert hands of Pat Eddery, the enigmatic colt defeated none other than Broadway Flyer, trained by Hills' son, John, and ridden by another son, Michael. Moonax showed that victory was no fluke by following up in the French St Leger a month later. Rheingold The best horse Barry Hills ever trained came early in his career. Rheingold almost gave him a Derby triumph, but he was just touched off by Roberto in 1972. However, a year later the colt ran out an impressive winner of Europe's premier race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, beating the brilliant Allez France by two and a half lengths. Tap On Wood Hills' first major success at Newmarket came with Tap On Wood in the 1979 2000 Guineas, as he upstaged hot favourite Kris in the hands of Steve Cauthen. The young American had recently been enticed to Britain at the request of Robert Sangster and showed his prowess by driving Tap On Wood home by half a length.
Rhyl Journal
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
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.
