John Hills
1960 - 2014
1960 - 2014
John William Hills was born on September 25, 1960, the son of Barry Hills, who would go on to become a Classic-winning trainer. John was the eldest of five brothers, two of whom, the twins Michael and Richard, would both become top jockeys, while another, Charlie, would eventually take over the training mantle from his father.
John William Hills was born on September 25, 1960, the son of Barry Hills, who would go on to become a Classic-winning trainer. John was the eldest of five brothers, two of whom, the twins Michael and Richard, would both become top jockeys, while another, Charlie, would eventually take over the training mantle from his father.
John began as an amateur jockey on the Flat and enjoyed his first success when aged 16 on Martindale in the historic Newmarket Town Plate. His first under rules was on Humdoleila at Redcar on August1, 1978.
John began as an amateur jockey on the Flat and enjoyed his first success when aged 16 on Martindale in the historic Newmarket Town Plate. His first under rules was on Humdoleila at Redcar on August1, 1978.
He went on to ride 21 winners in all, achieving his most important success in the saddle when winning the 1979 Moet & Chandon Silver Magnum (the amateur riders’ Derby) at Epsom on the Josh Gifford-trained Lumen. He had one just ride over hurdles.
He went on to ride 21 winners in all, achieving his most important success in the saddle when winning the 1979 Moet & Chandon Silver Magnum (the amateur riders’ Derby) at Epsom on the Josh Gifford-trained Lumen. He had one just ride over hurdles.
Following spells as assistant trainer to Eddie O’Grady, Tom Jones, John Gosden, Coin Hayes and Barry Hills, John launched his own training career at South Bank Stables, in Lambourn in 1987. His first winner as a trainer was Samovar at Pontefract on April 23, 1987.
Following spells as assistant trainer to Eddie O’Grady, Tom Jones, John Gosden, Coin Hayes and Barry Hills, John launched his own training career at South Bank Stables, in Lambourn in 1987. His first winner as a trainer was Samovar at Pontefract on April 23, 1987.
While remaining in Lambourn, he moved yards to Hill House in 1991, and then to The Croft in Upper Lambourn in 1999. He enjoyed plenty of success both at home and abroad, training pattern race winners in Sweden, Germany, Italy, America and Hong Kong as well as in Britain. He also won several big handicaps including the Old Newton Cup, Newbury Spring Cup and Melrose Stakes.
While remaining in Lambourn, he moved yards to Hill House in 1991, and then to The Croft in Upper Lambourn in 1999. He enjoyed plenty of success both at home and abroad, training pattern race winners in Sweden, Germany, Italy, America and Hong Kong as well as in Britain. He also won several big handicaps including the Old Newton Cup, Newbury Spring Cup and Melrose Stakes.
His best horses included Broadway Flyer, who won the Chester Vase and Gordon Stakes in 1994 and finished second in that year’s St Leger, beaten by Sheikh Mohammed’s colt Moonax, ironically trained by John’s father Barry.
His best horses included Broadway Flyer, who won the Chester Vase and Gordon Stakes in 1994 and finished second in that year’s St Leger, beaten by Sheikh Mohammed’s colt Moonax, ironically trained by John’s father Barry.
He gained his most important success when Wind In Her Hair landed the German Group 1 Aral-Pokal in 1995. However, his richest win came when Docksider won the 1999 Hong Kong Derby, that race being worth £314, 973. His sole Royal Ascot success came courtesy of Dominant Duchess in the 2000 Queen Alexandra Stakes.
He gained his most important success when Wind In Her Hair landed the German Group 1 Aral-Pokal in 1995. However, his richest win came when Docksider won the 1999 Hong Kong Derby, that race being worth £314, 973. His sole Royal Ascot success came courtesy of Dominant Duchess in the 2000 Queen Alexandra Stakes.
In 2013, John moved his string to Kingswood House, in Lambourn. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the spring of 2014. It was a virulent strain and he quickly succumbed to its ravages. He died on June 1, 2014, aged 53.
In 2013, John moved his string to Kingswood House, in Lambourn. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the spring of 2014. It was a virulent strain and he quickly succumbed to its ravages. He died on June 1, 2014, aged 53.
John Hills trained more than 500 domestic winners in addition to his successes abroad. His last winner was Rasameel at Lingfield on May 12, 2014, less than three weeks before his death.
John Hills trained more than 500 domestic winners in addition to his successes abroad. His last winner was Rasameel at Lingfield on May 12, 2014, less than three weeks before his death.