The final week in June brought the sad news that one of the true greats of the training game had passed away. The trainer of over 3,000 winners at the track and the figurehead of the Hills racing dynasty, Barry Hills, died peacefully at the age of 88.
Hills isn’t the only trainer to count wins by the thousand. However, the tale of his ascent to the racing summit is rather different to the usual career progression. Here, we look back at the life of this true racing icon.
Racing in the Blood
Born on April 2, 1937, Hills was christened Barrington William Hills as his mother believed that was a fine name to adorn the brass plaque outside a solicitor’s office. However, Barry looked past a career in law to follow a similar path to his father, Bill, who served as head lad to Tom Rimmel and George Colling.
Initially plying his trade as an apprentice jockey, Hills picked up eight wins in the saddle between 1952 and 1956 before moving on to become travelling head lad to trainer John Oxley. It was during his time in this role that Hills built a betting bankroll fuelled by wins such as Sky Diver at 50/1 in the 1967 Stewards’ Cup. However, those early wagers merely served as a warm-up to a truly monumental punt.
Fortune Favours the Bold
Towards the tail end of 1967, Hills identified the Oxley-trained Frankincense as the likely winner of the 1968 Lincoln Handicap. It’s fair to say that he backed up his opinion. Making an initial investment at 66/1, Hills continued to pile on at all odds down to 25/1.
Having briefly traded as the 5/1 favourite, Frankincense started the race at the pre-decimal odds of 100/8. By the time Frankincense came home half a length clear of his 30 rivals, Barry Hills was the richest travelling head lad in the country. Having cashed in his collection of betting receipts, Hills sat on a £60,000 fortune – equivalent to around £900,000 in today’s money.
Starting Out at South Bank
Such was Hills’ confidence in Frankincense that he had already planned how to spend the winnings. The first step was to purchase South Bank Stables in Lambourn for £15,000. And so, one of the great training careers was born.
Hills enjoyed immense success at South Bank. Picking up a first Group 1 with Our Mirage in the 1971 Prix de Salamandre, he added the 1,000 Guineas, 2,000 Guineas, and many more notable successes at home and abroad.
Moving on to Manton House
Now firmly established in the upper echelons of the British training game, Hills was the man chosen to step into the shoes of Michael Dickinson at the impressive Manton House facility. Taking up residence at the Wiltshire yard in 1986, Hills added 400 winners to his record. Against the trainers’ wishes, his stint at Manton ended when yard owner Robert Sangster surprisingly sold Manton House in 1990. Unable to drum up the funds to purchase the yard himself, Hills headed back to where it had all begun.
Flourishing at Farringdon Place
Upon returning to South Bank Stables, it quickly became clear that Hills had outgrown his first yard. Rather than downsizing to fit his surroundings, Hills chose to build a training facility all of his own.
A lot of work and several million pounds later, Farringdon Place was born, complete with an equine swimming pool, all-weather gallops, top-of-the-range US-style barns, and more. Making the most of his gleaming new facility, Hills maintained his position as the biggest rival to Newmarket titans Sir Michael Stoute and Sir Henry Cecil.
Three further Classic Wins – Ghanaati (2009 1,000 Guineas), Haafhd (2004 2,000 Guineas), Moonax (1994 St Leger) – topped the Farringdon Place roll of honour before Hills retired for the first time.
Health Issues and Personal Tragedy
Long plagued by issues with his voice box, Hills was informed that he had throat cancer in 2005, leading to the removal of his voice box in 2008.
Having handed over his licence to his son Charlie in 2011, Hills served as assistant trainer to another of his sons, John. Tragically, John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early 2014. By June 1, 2014, he had sadly passed away.
Following the death of his son, Barry carried the weight of full trainer duties, adding 34 winners between 2014 and 2015. Wardat Dubai provided his final winner at Wolverhampton in October 2015.
Barry Hills: Notable Achievements
- Career Wins – 3181
- Group/Grade 1 Wins – 48
- 5 Classic Wins – Enstone Spark (1978 1,000 Guineas), Tap On Wood (1979 2,000 Guineas), Moonax (1994 St Leger), Haafhd (2004 2,000 Guineas), Ghanaati (2009 1,000 Guineas)
- Cheltenham Festival Wins – Nomadic Way (1992 Stayers’ Hurdle)
- Career Best Year – 113 winners in 1990
- Royal Ascot Winners – 25
Dynasty
In addition to his own accomplishments, Barry Hills became the figurehead of one of the sport’s most successful racing dynasties.
John Hills recorded over 600 winners as a trainer before his untimely death, while Charlie Hills has 800 and counting, including 15 Group/Grade 1 contests.
Gone but will never be forgotten #dad pic.twitter.com/klcuC7JqEK
— Charlie Hills (@cbhills) June 28, 2025
The Hills’ influence extended beyond the training ranks. Twin sons Richard and Michael grabbed well over 3,000 wins between them in the saddle, while grandson Patrick chipped in with a further 87 during his time as an apprentice. Youngest son, George, continues the equine theme through his work in bloodstock insurance.
All told, there can’t be many families who have exerted such an influence on the sport in recent times. And to think it all began with that sensational punt in the 1968 Lincoln. However, such was the drive and talent of Barry Hills, one suspects he would have made it to the top regardless of his Frankincense fortune.
Amongst an outpouring of tributes from all corners of the racing world, Ralph Beckett perhaps summed Barry Hills up best when stating:
“As a trainer and as a man, he was an example and a hero to all of my generation.”
