Michael Hills
Michael Patrick Hills was born at Newmarket on January 22, 1963, and became apprenticed to Jeremy Hindley.
Michael Patrick Hills was born at Newmarket on January 22, 1963, and became apprenticed to Jeremy Hindley.
His first winner was Sky Thief at Nottingham, August 13, 1979 (on his first ride).
His first winner was Sky Thief at Nottingham, August 13, 1979 (on his first ride).
Michael's last winner was Winter Song at Newmarket on November 2, 2012.
Michael's last winner was Winter Song at Newmarket on November 2, 2012.
His twin brother, Richard, was also a successful jockey.
His twin brother, Richard, was also a successful jockey.
Michael won the 1996 Epsom Derby on Shaamit, plus a host of other good races.
Michael won the 1996 Epsom Derby on Shaamit, plus a host of other good races.
Article courtesy Chas Hammond
Article courtesy Chas Hammond
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
Derby: Shaamit (1996)
Derby: Shaamit (1996)
Irish One Thousand Guineas: Nicer (1993), Hula Angel (1999)
Irish One Thousand Guineas: Nicer (1993), Hula Angel (1999)
Other big winners include:
Other big winners include:
1985: Dewhurst Stakes – Huntingdale
1985: Dewhurst Stakes – Huntingdale
1987: Supreme Stakes – Asteroid Field
1987: Supreme Stakes – Asteroid Field
1987: Challenge Stakes – Asteroid Field
1987: Challenge Stakes – Asteroid Field
1988: Duke of York Stakes – Handsome Sailor
1988: Duke of York Stakes – Handsome Sailor
1988: Temple Stakes – Handsome Sailor
1988: Temple Stakes – Handsome Sailor
1988: Nunthorpe Stakes – Handsome Sailor
1988: Nunthorpe Stakes – Handsome Sailor
1988: Celebration Mile – Prince Rupert
1988: Celebration Mile – Prince Rupert
1988: Dewhurst Stakes – Scenic (dead-heat)
1988: Dewhurst Stakes – Scenic (dead-heat)
1989: City and Suburban Handicap – Dismiss
1989: City and Suburban Handicap – Dismiss
1989: Dee Stakes – Free Sweater
1989: Dee Stakes – Free Sweater
1989: Hungerford Stakes – Distant Relative
1989: Hungerford Stakes – Distant Relative
1989: Celebration Mile – Distant Relative
1989: Celebration Mile – Distant Relative
1989: Challenge Stakes – Distant Relative
1989: Challenge Stakes – Distant Relative
1989: Fillies’ Mile – Silk Slippers
1989: Fillies’ Mile – Silk Slippers
1989: Rockfel Stakes – Negligent
1989: Rockfel Stakes – Negligent
1990: Hungerford Stakes – Norwich
1990: Hungerford Stakes – Norwich
1990: Ebor Handicap – Further Flight
1990: Ebor Handicap – Further Flight
1991: Goodwood Cup – Further Flight
1991: Goodwood Cup – Further Flight
1991: Jockey Club Cup – Further Flight
1991: Jockey Club Cup – Further Flight
1991: St Simon Stakes – Further Flight
1991: St Simon Stakes – Further Flight
1992: Nell Gwyn Stakes – A-To-Z
1992: Nell Gwyn Stakes – A-To-Z
1992: Goodwood Cup – Further Flight
1992: Goodwood Cup – Further Flight
1992: Doncaster Cup – Further Flight
1992: Doncaster Cup – Further Flight
1992: Champagne Stakes – Petardia
1992: Champagne Stakes – Petardia
1992: Flying Childers Stakes – Poker Chip
1992: Flying Childers Stakes – Poker Chip
1992: Jockey Club Cup – Further Flight
1992: Jockey Club Cup – Further Flight
1993: Dee Stakes – Beneficial
1993: Dee Stakes – Beneficial
1993: King Edward VII Stakes – Beneficial
1993: King Edward VII Stakes – Beneficial
1993: July Stakes – First Trump
1993: July Stakes – First Trump
1993: Richmond Stakes – First Trump
1993: Richmond Stakes – First Trump
1993: Jockey Club Cup – Further Flight
1993: Jockey Club Cup – Further Flight
1994: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Owington
1994: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Owington
1994: Ascot Gold Cup – Arcadian Heights
1994: Ascot Gold Cup – Arcadian Heights
1994: Queen’s Vase – Silver Wedge
1994: Queen’s Vase – Silver Wedge
1994: Old Newton Cup – Glide Path
1994: Old Newton Cup – Glide Path
1994: Jockey Club Cup – Further Flight
1994: Jockey Club Cup – Further Flight
1995: Dee Stakes – Pentire
1995: Dee Stakes – Pentire
1995: Queen Anne Stakes – Nicolette
1995: Queen Anne Stakes – Nicolette
1995: King Edward VII Stakes – Pentire
1995: King Edward VII Stakes – Pentire
1995: Jockey Club Cup – Further Flight
1995: Jockey Club Cup – Further Flight
1996: Dee Stakes – Prize Giving
1996: Dee Stakes – Prize Giving
1996: Prince of Wales’s Stakes – First Island
1996: Prince of Wales’s Stakes – First Island
1996: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Pentire
1996: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Pentire
1996: Sussex Stakes – First Island
1996: Sussex Stakes – First Island
1996: Dewhurst Stakes – In Command
1996: Dewhurst Stakes – In Command
1997: Lockinge Stakes – First Island
1997: Lockinge Stakes – First Island
1997: Coronation Stakes – Rebecca Sharp
1997: Coronation Stakes – Rebecca Sharp
1997: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Royal Applause
1997: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Royal Applause
1997: Haydock Sprint Cup – Royal Applause
1997: Haydock Sprint Cup – Royal Applause
1999: Dewhurst Stakes – Distant Music
1999: Dewhurst Stakes – Distant Music
2001: King Edward VII Stakes – Storming Home
2001: King Edward VII Stakes – Storming Home
2002: Champion Stakes – Storming Home
2002: Champion Stakes – Storming Home
2003: Lincoln Handicap – Pablo
2003: Lincoln Handicap – Pablo
2003: John Smith’s Cup – Far Lane
2003: John Smith’s Cup – Far Lane
2004: Chesham Stakes – Whazzat
2004: Chesham Stakes – Whazzat
2005: Coventry Stakes – Red Clubs
2005: Coventry Stakes – Red Clubs
2005: Coronation Stakes – Maids Causeway
2005: Coronation Stakes – Maids Causeway
2005: Nunthorpe Stakes – La Cuccaracha
2005: Nunthorpe Stakes – La Cuccaracha
2006: Ribblesdale Stakes – Mont Etoile
2006: Ribblesdale Stakes – Mont Etoile
2007: Haydock Sprint Cup – Red Clubs
2007: Haydock Sprint Cup – Red Clubs
2007: Middle Park Stakes – Dark Angel
2007: Middle Park Stakes – Dark Angel
2010: Britannia Stakes – Ransom Note
2010: Britannia Stakes – Ransom Note
2010: King’s Stand Stakes – Equiano
2010: King’s Stand Stakes – Equiano
In Ireland
In Ireland
1986: National Stakes – Lockton
1986: National Stakes – Lockton
1987: Matron Stakes – Pixie Erin
1987: Matron Stakes – Pixie Erin
1989: Flying Five – Handsome Sailor
1989: Flying Five – Handsome Sailor
In France
In France
1988: Prix de l’Abbaye – Handsome Sailor
1988: Prix de l’Abbaye – Handsome Sailor
1994: Prix Morny – Hoh Magic
1994: Prix Morny – Hoh Magic
1997: Prix d’Ispahan – Sasuru
1997: Prix d’Ispahan – Sasuru
1999: Prix Jean Prat – Golden Snake
1999: Prix Jean Prat – Golden Snake
In Italy
In Italy
1995: Premio di Capua – Nicolette
1995: Premio di Capua – Nicolette
In Hong Kong
In Hong Kong
1996: Hong Kong Cup – First Island
1996: Hong Kong Cup – First Island
Insight into Michael Hills.
Insight into Michael Hills.
If you had to switch careers, what job would you do?
If you had to switch careers, what job would you do?
F1 driver.
F1 driver.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed, but instead pleasantly surprised.
Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed, but instead pleasantly surprised.
Which race would you most like to win?
Which race would you most like to win?
The Derby again.
The Derby again.
Who would play you in a film of your life?
Who would play you in a film of your life?
Richard [my twin].
Richard [my twin].
If there is one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?
If there is one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?
Not to have to spend so much time in my car travelling to race meetings. The traffic is awful no matter where you go.
Not to have to spend so much time in my car travelling to race meetings. The traffic is awful no matter where you go.
Who would you really like to meet?
Who would you really like to meet?
Ryan Giggs.
Ryan Giggs.
If you were taking someone racing for the first time, where would you go? Newmarket.
If you were taking someone racing for the first time, where would you go? Newmarket.
Which is the best racecourse?
Which is the best racecourse?
Ascot.
Ascot.
Which track could do better? Newmarket. Facilities for the jockeys at the July course are old-fashioned, dark and hot. They could easily be improved.
Which track could do better? Newmarket. Facilities for the jockeys at the July course are old-fashioned, dark and hot. They could easily be improved.
What is your favourite sport outside racing to watch? You can't beat a good game of football.
What is your favourite sport outside racing to watch? You can't beat a good game of football.
And to play? I'm not bad at darts - ask my friend Tim.
And to play? I'm not bad at darts - ask my friend Tim.
Which sport won't you watch? Cricket, although my wife Chris loves it.
Which sport won't you watch? Cricket, although my wife Chris loves it.
Sum yourself up in five words
Sum yourself up in five words
Lover of life and people.
Lover of life and people.
What or who really annoys you?
What or who really annoys you?
Long texts from a friend, with more rabbit than Sainsbury's. She knows who she is; I won't embarrass her more than that.
Long texts from a friend, with more rabbit than Sainsbury's. She knows who she is; I won't embarrass her more than that.
What's your favourite programme on TV?
What's your favourite programme on TV?
Deal or No Deal.
Deal or No Deal.
Apart from racingpost.com, on which websites do you spend most time?
Apart from racingpost.com, on which websites do you spend most time?
templetonstud.com, my former sponsor.
templetonstud.com, my former sponsor.
What was the last film you saw?
What was the last film you saw?
Snatch is a great film; I never tire of watching it.
Snatch is a great film; I never tire of watching it.
Give us a playlist of your favourite five songs (and artists)
Give us a playlist of your favourite five songs (and artists)
Fergie (Glamorous); M People (Moving on Up); Take That (Patience) and anything by Ronan Keating, as he's a friend of mine.
Fergie (Glamorous); M People (Moving on Up); Take That (Patience) and anything by Ronan Keating, as he's a friend of mine.
Give us a horse to keep an eye on.
Give us a horse to keep an eye on.
Shropshire.
Shropshire.
A trainer to watch out for.
A trainer to watch out for.
John Ryan.
John Ryan.
And a jockey?
And a jockey?
Patrick Hills.
Patrick Hills.
What was the best day of your racing life?
What was the best day of your racing life?
A split between winning the Derby on Shaamit and the fifth consecutive Jockey Club Cup on Further Flight.
A split between winning the Derby on Shaamit and the fifth consecutive Jockey Club Cup on Further Flight.
Who's your favourite horse ever?
Who's your favourite horse ever?
Further Flight.
Further Flight.
You're forced to have a tattoo, what does it say?
You're forced to have a tattoo, what does it say?
I hate tattoos. You should only brand cattle.
I hate tattoos. You should only brand cattle.
What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?
What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?
Pass.
Pass.
Where would you recommend as a holiday destination, and why?
Where would you recommend as a holiday destination, and why?
The Caribbean, for obvious reasons.
The Caribbean, for obvious reasons.
Best/worst subjects at school?
Best/worst subjects at school?
Didn't have a best; I detested school.
Didn't have a best; I detested school.
You're invited to a fancy dress party - what will you go as?
You're invited to a fancy dress party - what will you go as?
A sheikh.
A sheikh.
You hear an intruder in the house while you're in bed, what's the first thing you do?
You hear an intruder in the house while you're in bed, what's the first thing you do?
Wake the wife.
Wake the wife.
Which teams do you support?
Which teams do you support?
England.
England.
What would you do with the England football team?
What would you do with the England football team?
Pay on win-only results; get the passion back.
Pay on win-only results; get the passion back.
What's your favourite restaurant or pub for a night out?
What's your favourite restaurant or pub for a night out?
The Green Man at Six Mile Bottom for a great steak, and The Marquis of Granby in Stetchworth for darts.
The Green Man at Six Mile Bottom for a great steak, and The Marquis of Granby in Stetchworth for darts.
What's your favourite food and drink?
What's your favourite food and drink?
My wife's spaghetti bolognese and dry(ish) white wine.
My wife's spaghetti bolognese and dry(ish) white wine.
Apart from prize-money, what's the first thing you would change if you took over racing?
Apart from prize-money, what's the first thing you would change if you took over racing?
Cut out the rubbish and get racecourses and bookmakers to put more money back into the sport.
Cut out the rubbish and get racecourses and bookmakers to put more money back into the sport.
Nicest moments on a racecourse?
Nicest moments on a racecourse?
When you pull up after a big success, it's just you and the horse and I always thank him or her for the huge effort they gave me to win - before anyone joins in the celebrations.
When you pull up after a big success, it's just you and the horse and I always thank him or her for the huge effort they gave me to win - before anyone joins in the celebrations.
What gives you the most pleasure?
What gives you the most pleasure?
Watching my family have success - I'm very proud to be a part of it.
Watching my family have success - I'm very proud to be a part of it.
What is the strangest/funniest thing you have ever seen on a racecourse?
What is the strangest/funniest thing you have ever seen on a racecourse?
Getting asked "Can I have your autograph, Frankie?" and looking up as I'm signing it to see Frankie looking on.
Getting asked "Can I have your autograph, Frankie?" and looking up as I'm signing it to see Frankie looking on.
Tell us something about yourself that only you know.
Tell us something about yourself that only you know.
If I told you that, then everyone would know.
If I told you that, then everyone would know.
What keeps you awake at night?
What keeps you awake at night?
Not a lot, but I never really sleep until our daughter Samantha gets in from a night out.
Not a lot, but I never really sleep until our daughter Samantha gets in from a night out.
Who'd be your four ideal dinner party guests? Kelly Brook and three really ugly/boring guys, so I stood half a chance!
Who'd be your four ideal dinner party guests? Kelly Brook and three really ugly/boring guys, so I stood half a chance!
And one to be marooned with on a desert island?
And one to be marooned with on a desert island?
Better say the wife.
Better say the wife.