Trainer Hills retires

Legendary Lambourn trainer Barry Hills, 74, has retired and will hand over the licence to his son, Charlie.

The trainer of over 3,200 winners, Hills will step aside after the Ebor meeting at York next week although he will remain as managing director of the family company.

Hills began training in 1969 on the back of a hugely successful punt on Frankincense in the previous season’s Lincoln.

A statement on www.barryhills.com said: “It has been announced that Barry will retire after York’s Ebor meeting and hand over the licence to his second youngest son, who has been his assistant for the past eight years since his return from a two year spell as assistant trainer to James Fanshawe in Newmarket.

“Charlie has been well groomed for the role, having worked in Australia for the Hayes family before his spell in Newmarket where he was lucky to be around horses such as Soviet Song, Warningford, Hors La Loi and Invermark while working in racing’s headquarters.

“He is thoroughly looking forward to the challenge of moving the operation at Faringdon Place forward, but realises what a formidable task he takes on in trying to emulate his father.

“The owners have been tremendously supportive of the change and Charlie appreciates this hugely.

“Charlie is very lucky to be inheriting a great set of staff headed by assistant trainer Kevin Mooney, and his input is invaluable.

“It will make the transition very smooth as the day-to-day running of the yard will not change and all the staff are very supportive of him.”

The Hills family is one of the biggest dynasties in the sport.

His eldest son John is an established trainer, while twins Michael and Richard and two of the most well-respected jockeys in the weighing room.

He retires with 10 Classics on his C.V. with Ghanaati winning the 1,000 Guineas as recently as 2009.