Barry Hills, one of the largest coaches of his generation, died at the age of 88.
Hills was also the father of a classic retirement jockeys Michael and Richard, while his son Charlie took over in the family’s Faringdon courtyard and experienced a series of large breed victories. Another son, George, is involved in Bloodstock insurance.
His eldest son, John, was also a successful coach before his cancer death in June 2014, the pair fighting in a memorable way in the Leger of 1994, when Moonax pushed Broadway Flyer by a length and a quarter.
In an article on his account X, Charlie Hills said: “Let’s go but will never be forgotten #DAD.”
A declaration by the British Horseracing Authority read: “We all at BHA are saddened to learn the death of Barry Hills and to send our greatest condolences to his family and friends at the moment sad.
“Barry’s contribution to the race was huge and we will rightly remember one of the great figures of our sport.”
Before subscribing to his training license, Hills led nine winners as an apprentice and spent 10 years learning his profession as a chief boy with John Oxley before removing his, familiar with his first winner La Dolce Vita in Thirsk in April 1969.
His first winner of the group one followed in 1971 while the victory at the Rheingold arc in 1973 provided a consolation after being beaten with a short head in the derby of the previous year – one of the four Epsom finalists for Hills, who never managed to win the Blue Riband.
Newmarket has proven to be a happier fighter field, with Enstone Spark (1978) and Ghanaati (2009) winning the 1000 Guinea, while Tap On Wood (1979) and Haafhd (2004) prevailed in 2000.
While Epsom Derby Glory escaped him, Sir Harry Lewis won the Irish version in 1987 and he also bagged Irish oaks and 1000 Guinea twice during an illustrious career.
Hills announced his retirement in August 2011 after overcoming serious illnesses, including throat cancer, but he made a brief return to training on a temporary license in 2014 after John’s death.
