Michael Hill
Michael Hill
Michael Hill
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Michael Hill registered his only two winners under National Hunt rules in the space of three days in May 1956, both on a horse named A.5.
Michael Hill registered his only two winners under National Hunt rules in the space of three days in May 1956, both on a horse named A.5.
On May 2, he rode A.5 to win the Nenthorn Selling Handicap Hurdle at Kelso, beating Beamsong, ridden by 7lb-claimer John Hudson, by 10 lengths. A.5 was making his first start for his new connections after three previous outings that season had shown little. At the post-race auction he was bought back by his owner, Mr J. S. Watkinson, for 260 guineas. The form book result lists Mr Watkinson as also training the horse but this is incorrect. He did not hold a trainer’s licence. A.5 was trained by Tommy Dent at Dringhouses, in Yorkshire.
On May 2, he rode A.5 to win the Nenthorn Selling Handicap Hurdle at Kelso, beating Beamsong, ridden by 7lb-claimer John Hudson, by 10 lengths. A.5 was making his first start for his new connections after three previous outings that season had shown little. At the post-race auction he was bought back by his owner, Mr J. S. Watkinson, for 260 guineas. The form book result lists Mr Watkinson as also training the horse but this is incorrect. He did not hold a trainer’s licence. A.5 was trained by Tommy Dent at Dringhouses, in Yorkshire.
Michael’s second victory, at Market Rasen in the Walesby Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) on May 5, was much harder fought. Only a neck separated A.5 from Hazely Wood, ridden by Sam McComb, with the latter then objecting to the winner on grounds of ‘bumping and boring after the last flight of hurdles’. The objection was overruled.
Michael’s second victory, at Market Rasen in the Walesby Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) on May 5, was much harder fought. Only a neck separated A.5 from Hazely Wood, ridden by Sam McComb, with the latter then objecting to the winner on grounds of ‘bumping and boring after the last flight of hurdles’. The objection was overruled.
Thereafter, A.5 only ran four more times, broke down once, and was pulled up when Micheal rode him in his last race, at Hexham on May 5, 1958. Michael kept a licence until the 1961/62 season but had no further success.
Thereafter, A.5 only ran four more times, broke down once, and was pulled up when Micheal rode him in his last race, at Hexham on May 5, 1958. Michael kept a licence until the 1961/62 season but had no further success.
Michael Hill's first win
Michael Hill's first win
Michael's second win
Michael's second win