Michael Hills (born 22 January 1963) is a retired British flat racing jockey, who won the 1996 Epsom Derby on Shaamit. He was British flat racing Champion Apprentice of 1983. He is twin brother to Richard Hills and their father is racehorse trainer Barry Hills.
Career
Michael Patrick Hills was born in Newmarket, Suffolk on 22 January 1963. His first winner was also his first competitive ride - on Sky Thief at Nottingham on 13 August 1979, riding for his father.[1] He then became apprentice to Jeremy Hindley. In 1982, he was suspended from riding for six months after striking fellow jockey Susan Gilbert across the face after a race.[1]
In 1983, riding again for Hindley he became Champion Apprentice. His best season numerically was 1999 when he rode 92 winners. His final winner was Winter Song at Newmarket on 2 November 2012.[2]
He is now a BHA jockey coach.
Personal life
Michael is married to Chris Hills and has a daughter, Samantha. Chris is Australian and is the racing secretary at Joseph Parr Racing. Michael's hobbies include darts and snooker. He also breeds Australian finches.
British career wins
- 1979 – 5
- 1980 – 13
- 1981 – 10
- 1982 – 15
- 1983 – 39
- 1984 – 41
- 1985 – 39
- 1986 – 40
- 1987 – 75
- 1988 – 76
- 1989 – 77
- 1990 – 61
- 1991 – 65
- 1992 – 91
- 1993 – 86
- 1994 – 89
- 1995 – 74
- 1996 – 80
- 1997 – 84
- 1998 – 61
- 1999 – 92
- 2000 – 73
- 2001 – 58
- 2002 – 65
- 2003 – 57
- 2004 – 66
- 2005 – 56
- 2006 – 69
- 2007 – 50
- 2008 – 47
- 2009 – 57
Major wins
- Ascot Gold Cup – (1) – Arcadian Heights (1994)
- Champion Stakes – (1) – Storming Home (2002)[3]
- Coronation Stakes – (2) – Rebecca Sharp (1997), Maids Causeway (2005)[4]
- Derby – (1) – Shaamit (1996)[5]
- Dewhurst Stakes – (4) – Huntingdale (1985), Scenic (1988, dead heat), In Command (1996), Distant Music (1999)
- Fillies' Mile – (1) – Silk Slippers (1989)
- Golden Jubilee Stakes – (2) – Owington (1994), Royal Applause (1997)
- Haydock Sprint Cup – (2) – Royal Applause (1997), Red Clubs (2007)
- King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – (1) – Pentire (1996)
- King's Stand Stakes – (1) – Equiano (2010)
- Lockinge Stakes – (1) – First Island (1997)
- Middle Park Stakes – (2) – First Trump (1993), Dark Angel (2007)
- Nassau Stakes – (1) – Ryafan (1997)
- Nunthorpe Stakes – (2) – Handsome Sailor (1988), La Cucaracha (2005)
- Prince of Wales's Stakes – (1) – First Island (1996)
- Queen Anne Stakes – (1) – Nicolotte (1995)
- Sun Chariot Stakes – (1) – Spinning Queen (2006)
- Sussex Stakes – (1) – First Island (1996)
- Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp – (1) – Handsome Sailor (1988)
- Prix d'Ispahan – (1) – Sasuru (1997)
- Prix Jean Prat – (1) – Golden Snake (1999)
- Prix Morny – (1) – Hoh Magic (1994)
- Hong Kong Cup – (1) – First Island (1996)
- Irish 1,000 Guineas – (2) – Nicer (1993), Hula Angel (1999)
- Irish Champion Stakes – (1) – Pentire (1995)
- Matron Stakes – (1) – Pixie Erin (1987)
- National Stakes – (1) – Lockton (1986)
- Pretty Polly Stakes – (1) – Lady Upstage (2000)
- Premio Vittorio di Capua – (1) – Nicolotte (1995)
- Dubai Golden Shaheen – (1) – State City (2003)
- The Clash of the Titans Thumbelina Trophy – (1) - Bonjour Tristesse (2000)
See also
References
- ^ a b Wright 1986, p. 122.
- ^ "Michael Hills". Jockeypedia. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "Storming Home bounces back". BBC Sport. 19 October 2002.
- ^ "Battling Causeway's coronation". Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013.
- ^ Edmondson, Richard (9 June 1996). "Shaamit show just starting". The Independent.
Bibliography
- Wright, Howard (1986). The Encyclopaedia of Flat Racing. London: Robert Hale. ISBN 0-7090-2639-0.