Richard Hills to stay with the Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s team after retirement
The forty-nine-year-old, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum retained jockey, Richard Hills has announced his decision of biding good bye to his career after the 2012 Dubai World Cup Night on 31st March at Meydan.
Richard Hills had the privilege of being the first stable jockey for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and ever since then, for the next fifteen years he has been riding horses owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum.
His career spans over thirty-three years during which he saddled five British Classic winners for owner Sheikh Hamdan. In 1995, he won the 1,000 Guineas while onboard Harayir then in 2000 with Lahan and with Ghanaati in 2009.
Perhaps the only hard luck that has put a rather insignificant dent in his otherwise respectable career was the unpopularity with the punters who underestimated Richard Hills. However, the support that he got from Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum was enough for
Richard Hills to stay confident and courageous.
"No jockey could have ridden for a more loyal and supportive owner," Richard Hills remarked.
In 2004, Richard Hills won the 2,000 Guineas while onboard Haafhd and right the next year he saddled Eswarah trained by Michael Jarvis, to an Oak’s victory.
In 2009, Richard Hills’s strike rate was pretty impressive, a twenty-three percent, which only the hallmark jockey, Frankie Dettori had surpassed. In regard to the prize money, Richard Hills was second best to Ryan Moore, with a £2.8 million.
The highlight of Richard Hills’s career was the Dubai World Cup victory that he struck in 1999 while riding Almutawakel trained by Saeed bin Suroor. The prize money for the winner of the race was £1.8 million.
"He's done very well for himself, holding down the same job for all those years," said Barry, Hills’s father.
Ghanaati and Haafhd were trained by Richard Hills’s father, Barry.
Richard Hills does not want to put a full stop to the contributions that he has made for the horse racing industry.
"I now want to use the experience and knowledge gained through my career to date to further contribute to Sheikh Hamdan and the Shadwell team, including the Derrinstown and Shadwell farms.
"After closing one great chapter a new one begins."
The final test as a jockey still needs to be attempted as Richard Hills has to ride on till the 31st of March at Meydan.
Tags: