Remembering Barry Hills: A Tribute to a Racing Dynasty Founder

The racing world recently bid a fond farewell to Barry Hills, one of the outstanding trainers of his generation and the founder of a major racing dynasty in Lambourn.

Across a career that spanned more than 40 years, Hills enjoyed more than 3,200 wins including 10 British and Irish Classics.

He won the 2000 Guineas with Tap On Wood in 1979 at Newmarket after landing the 1000 Guineas with Enstone Park a year earlier.

His incredible longevity meant he won the 2000 Guineas with Ghanaati 30 years later, while his CV also boasted a 1973 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Rheingold.

The Hills name was synonymous with racing in the UK. Barry Hills overcame serious illnesses and throat cancer to carry on training, but he retired in 2011 and handed over to his son Charlie.

He did return for a period after the death of his son John, while sons Michael and Richard were both successful jockeys.

His 'contribution to racing was immense' the British Horseracing Authority said in a statement following his passing at 88 years of age on June 28th.

Shadwell remembers Hills'

Hills won the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket with Ghanaati for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum in the famous Shadwell silks in 2009.

Angus Gold, who was racing manager for Sheikh Hamdan between 1985 and 2021, led the tributes.

"He was a remarkable man who led the most extraordinary life," Gold said. "What's more, he did everything himself from his sheer canniness and ability.

"He was a great trainer and truly knew his horses inside out. He was a tremendous judge of a horse and was always immaculately turned out, as were his horses, and he expected those high standards of himself and everybody else.

"He was a driven character and you'd have to be to have the success he did like he did."

Gold added the foundation of Sheikh Hamdan and Hills' relationship was a shared deep appreciation and knowledge of horses.

He added: "Sheikh Hamdan and Barry thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. I know that Barry always appreciated Sheikh Hamdan's support and that he was such a knowledgeable owner.

"They would often spend long periods of time talking to each other about horses and enjoying being together, and even after Barry retired he would always make a point of coming over to see Sheikh Hamdan and their discussions would continue as before; they loved being around each other."

All of us at the BHA are saddened to learn of the death of Barry Hills and send our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.

Barry's contribution to racing was immense and he will rightly be remembered as one of the great figures of our sport. pic.twitter.com/YS1PwgmvDO

— British Horseracing Authority (@BHAHorseracing) June 28, 2025

Gosden remembers racing's 'great example'

Hills's notable wins at the Royal Ascot meeting included back-to-back Gold Cups with Gildoran in 1984 and 1985, while Sure Blade - one of his three winners of the Coventry Stakes - took the St James's Palace Stakes in 1986, and Equiano the King's Stand Stakes in 2010 under son Michael.

John Gosden was amongst his peers in the training ranks and said Hills was a fine example to all.

He said: "Barry set a great example to everyone in racing from his early days in Newmarket to South Bank Stables in Lambourn and then on to Faringdon Place. His meticulous presentation of his horses and of himself set the standard."

Beckett's teenage memories

Now a Group 1 and Classic-winning trainer, Ralph Beckett recalled his experiences as a teenager riding out for Hills and labelled him a 'hero' for a whole generation of British racing folk.

He said: "I was 15 when Barry let me ride out during term time at Manton.'Let' is the right adjective because I was certainly no addition and I'll always be grateful to him for that.

"He once told me not to start training too young. I was 28 when Peter Walwyn retired and on reaching 30 I realised exactly what he meant and I have often repeated the advice.

"As a trainer and a man he was an example and a hero to all of my generation."