Legendary British Trainer Barry Hills Dies at 88

Barry Hills, one of the outstanding trainers of his generation and the founder of a major racing dynasty, has died at the age of 88. In a career set up on the funds of a spectacular ante-post betting coup on Frankincense in the 1968 Lincoln Handicap, Hills became arguably the main challenger from outside Newmarket to the duopoly down the decades of Sir Henry Cecil and Sir Michael Stoute, sending out 3,181 winners in Britain across three spells in Lambourn, as well as a highly successful period at Robert Sangster's Manton Estate in Wiltshire. He won four of the five British classics at least once, although the Epsom Derby (G1) famously eluded him despite the efforts of Rheingold, Hawaiian Sound, Glacial Storm and Blue Stag, all of whom finished second at Epsom. Hills was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 2005 and had his voicebox removed three years later, eventually handing over the training license to son Charlie in 2011. It was through the tragic circumstances of the death of his eldest son, John, from cancer in 2014 that Hills made a return to the training ranks, moving up from the role of assistant and sending out another 34 winners in the next two years. As well as two trainers, Hills was the father of a pair of leading jockeys; twins Michael and Richard both approached the 2,000-winner mark during long and distinguished spells in the weighing room, with one or other aboard for many of the family's biggest successes. Richard Hills rode as retained rider to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum for 15 years until his retirement and was on board Haafhd for his father when landing the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) in 2004. An even more impressive training feat was Hills Sr.'s handling of Sheikh Hamdan's top filly Ghanaati, whom he sent out to win the One Thousand Guineas (G1) in 2009 under Richard on her turf debut following two runs on the Kempton Polytrack as a 2-year-old, before adding the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot. Angus Gold, who was racing manager for Sheikh Hamdan between 1985-2021 and has continued in the role for Shadwell Estates, hailed Hills as a "fantastic man and a brilliant trainer." "He was a remarkable man who led the most extraordinary life," Gold said. "What's more, he did everything himself from his sheer canniness and ability. "He was a great trainer and truly knew his horses inside out. He was a tremendous judge of a horse and was always immaculately turned out, as were his horses, and he expected those high standards of himself and everybody else. He was a driven character and you'd have to be to have the success he did like he did." Gold added the the foundation of Sheikh Hamdan and Hills's relationship was a shared and deep appreciation, and knowledge, of horses. He said: "Sheikh Hamdan and Barry thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. I know that Barry always appreciated Sheikh Hamdan's support and that he was such a knowledgeable owner. "They would often spend long periods of time talking to each other about horses and enjoying being together, and even after Barry retired he would always make a point of coming over to see Sheikh Hamdan and their discussions would continue as before; they loved being around each other." Alongside Ghanaati, Hills's notable wins at the royal meeting included back-to-back Gold Cups (G1) with Gildoran in 1984 and 1985, while Sure Blade—one of his three winners of the Coventry Stakes (G3)—took the St James's Palace Stakes (G2) in 1986, and Equiano the King's Stand Stakes (G1) in 2010 under son Michael. Hills made his early forays to France pay especially well, with Our Mirage becoming his maiden group 1 winner in the Prix de la Salamandre (G1) in 1971—the first year of the European Pattern of group races—while two years later he scaled the heights when the Lester Piggott-ridden Rheingold became only the third British-trained Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner since World War II. As well as an enduring legacy in horse racing, Hills also leaves behind his devoted wife Penny, who was by his side through his long battle with illness, and son George, a bloodstock insurer, as well as Michael, Richard, and Charlie. Steve Cauthen Pays Tribute to Hills Steve Cauthen Saturday credited Barry Hills for reigniting his riding career as he led the tributes to the Lambourn legend. Cauthen's career in the United States had hit rock bottom when prominent owner/breeder Robert Sangster offered him the chance to move to Britain to ride for him and Hills in 1979 and it did not take the "Kentucky Kid" long to strike up a formidable partnership with Hills. They enjoyed immediate success together with Earl of Sefton Stakes (G3) winner Hawaiian Sound and Gordon Richards Stakes (G3) scorer Sexton Blake before Tap On Wood won the 1979 Two Thousand Guineas. As well as a winning relationship on the track, Cauthen built a watertight friendship off it with Hills. "We had a great trust in each other and he really was an unbelievable trainer," Cauthen said. "He was great at placing horses and knew exactly where they belonged." Before departing for the vacant position as number-one rider to Sir Henry Cecil, Cauthen partnered Gildoran to Gold Cup success for Hills in 1984. He retired from the saddle nine years later, but his connection with the Hills family never waned. "Our friendship grew and grew and we cared about each other," Cauthen said. "I love Barry and Penny, who made me feel welcome from the start. "Barry taught me how to be a man and really ignited my passion to want to be the best I could be. It's easy to lose track of that, but Barry wanted to be a winner. "He worked his way up and wasn't going back. He did everything he wanted to do and he did it with great people. He loved making plans with Robert Sangster and Bobby McAlpine, and he and Penny had a great love together. This will be tough on Penny, but he will always be by her side."