Bill Hills
Bill Hills
Bill Hills
1902-1966
1902-1966
The surname of National Hunt jockey William George Hills was invariably spelt incorrectly as ‘Hill’ instead of Hills. He was the father of classic-winning trainer Barry Hills and grandfather of successful jockey twins Michael and Richard Hills.
The surname of National Hunt jockey William George Hills was invariably spelt incorrectly as ‘Hill’ instead of Hills. He was the father of classic-winning trainer Barry Hills and grandfather of successful jockey twins Michael and Richard Hills.
Born in 1902, Bill rode seven winners over jumps in the 1920s, making a perfect start by winning on his first ride under National Hunt rules with a short head victory on Our Queen in the Clewer Selling Chase at Hawthorn Hill on November 10, 1922, narrowly defeating Tim, partnered by amateur rider Owen Stanley. The form book results mistakenly lists the winning jockey as ‘Hill’ rather than Hills.
Born in 1902, Bill rode seven winners over jumps in the 1920s, making a perfect start by winning on his first ride under National Hunt rules with a short head victory on Our Queen in the Clewer Selling Chase at Hawthorn Hill on November 10, 1922, narrowly defeating Tim, partnered by amateur rider Owen Stanley. The form book results mistakenly lists the winning jockey as ‘Hill’ rather than Hills.
It was not until September 19, 1924 that Bill had his second victory when Dash o’ White won the Novices’ Hurdle at Bungay, beating Magic Ring, the mount of Ted Leader, by six lengths. They struck again two months later at Hawthorn Hill, landing the Winkfield Novices’ Chase by a neck. The hat-trick was completed eight days later with a comfortable three-length success in the Richmond Chase at Kempton Park.
It was not until September 19, 1924 that Bill had his second victory when Dash o’ White won the Novices’ Hurdle at Bungay, beating Magic Ring, the mount of Ted Leader, by six lengths. They struck again two months later at Hawthorn Hill, landing the Winkfield Novices’ Chase by a neck. The hat-trick was completed eight days later with a comfortable three-length success in the Richmond Chase at Kempton Park.
Hopes of making it a four-timer ended when Dash o’ White fell at Hurst Park in December, and Bill had to wait until the Isle of Wight’s meeting on September 23, 1925 for his next, somewhat hollow, victory when the nine-year-old Jaeden walked over for the Parkhurst Selling Hurdle. Seven days later he won a match race for the Dover Chase at Wye aboard Dutch Doll, beating sole rival Word Of Honour, ridden by Colonel Norman Blacker, father of the famous Brigadier ‘Monkey’ Blacker, by six lengths.
Hopes of making it a four-timer ended when Dash o’ White fell at Hurst Park in December, and Bill had to wait until the Isle of Wight’s meeting on September 23, 1925 for his next, somewhat hollow, victory when the nine-year-old Jaeden walked over for the Parkhurst Selling Hurdle. Seven days later he won a match race for the Dover Chase at Wye aboard Dutch Doll, beating sole rival Word Of Honour, ridden by Colonel Norman Blacker, father of the famous Brigadier ‘Monkey’ Blacker, by six lengths.
There was just one more victory, which came at Chelmsford on October 22, 1925, when Wee Laddie landed the Billericay Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating Velevetex by half a length. It was the first time Bill had ridden the six-year-old since finishing third at the same course in February, and five jockeys, including George Duller, had tried and failed to win on him since.
There was just one more victory, which came at Chelmsford on October 22, 1925, when Wee Laddie landed the Billericay Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating Velevetex by half a length. It was the first time Bill had ridden the six-year-old since finishing third at the same course in February, and five jockeys, including George Duller, had tried and failed to win on him since.
His final ride was Roe Wen, which finished unplaced in the Juvenile Hurdle for three-year-olds at Wolverhampton on September 26, 1927.
His final ride was Roe Wen, which finished unplaced in the Juvenile Hurdle for three-year-olds at Wolverhampton on September 26, 1927.
After quitting the saddle he had two six-year spells as head lad to Worcestershire trainer Tom Rimell. In between those spells he trained ponies at Fareham, including the Northolt Derby winner Mountain Cloud.
After quitting the saddle he had two six-year spells as head lad to Worcestershire trainer Tom Rimell. In between those spells he trained ponies at Fareham, including the Northolt Derby winner Mountain Cloud.
After the war, he became head lad for George Colling at Hurworth House in Newmarket. Sadly, after a couple of years, Bill developed tuberculosis and had to give up his job. He moved his family to Redmile, Nottinghamshire, and later to his wife’s home town of Upton-on-Severn. He underwent an operation for TB that involved removing a lung and all his ribs down one side.
After the war, he became head lad for George Colling at Hurworth House in Newmarket. Sadly, after a couple of years, Bill developed tuberculosis and had to give up his job. He moved his family to Redmile, Nottinghamshire, and later to his wife’s home town of Upton-on-Severn. He underwent an operation for TB that involved removing a lung and all his ribs down one side.
After six months of convalescence, he returned to racing and accepted a job as head lad to Charlie Pratt at Uplands Stables in Lambourn. Before long, however, Bill developed TB in his remaining lung and, again, was forced to give up his role. He died in 1966.
After six months of convalescence, he returned to racing and accepted a job as head lad to Charlie Pratt at Uplands Stables in Lambourn. Before long, however, Bill developed TB in his remaining lung and, again, was forced to give up his role. He died in 1966.
Bill Hills’ winners were, in chronological order:
Bill Hills’ winners were, in chronological order:
1. Our Queen, Hawthorn Hill, November 10, 1922
1. Our Queen, Hawthorn Hill, November 10, 1922
2. Dash o’ White, Bungay, September 19, 1924
2. Dash o’ White, Bungay, September 19, 1924
3. Dash o’ White, Hawthorn Hill, November 21, 1924
3. Dash o’ White, Hawthorn Hill, November 21, 1924
4. Dash o’ White, Kempton Park, November 29, 1924
4. Dash o’ White, Kempton Park, November 29, 1924
5. Jaeden, Isle of Wight, September 23, 1925 (walkover)
5. Jaeden, Isle of Wight, September 23, 1925 (walkover)
6. Dutch Doll, Wye, September 30, 1925
6. Dutch Doll, Wye, September 30, 1925
7. Wee Laddie, Chelmsford, October 22, 1925
7. Wee Laddie, Chelmsford, October 22, 1925
Our Queen, Bill Hills' first winner, Hawthorn Hill, November 10, 1922
Our Queen, Bill Hills' first winner, Hawthorn Hill, November 10, 1922
Wee Laddie, Bill Hills' final winner, Chelmsford, October 22, 1925
Wee Laddie, Bill Hills' final winner, Chelmsford, October 22, 1925