It’s just so sad—Barry Hills, one of the greatest racehorse trainers Britain has ever seen, has died at the age of 88 after a long illness. For over four decades, he shaped champions and created a true racing dynasty, yet behind the trophies and races, there was a man whose grit and passion defined an era.
People around racing are talking about how his illness stole his voice, after he battled throat cancer and had his voice box removed—but still carried on training. That kind of resilience? It’s rare. And now, everyone’s reflecting not just on his wins, but on the spirit behind them.
From Apprentice Jockey to Training Icon: A Journey of Grit and Heart
Barry didn’t start as a superstar. He was an ordinary apprentice jockey in the 1950s, winning just eight races. But something clicked—he loved horses, the thrill, the struggle. By 1969, he got his own licence and began shaping racing legends.
I feel like that’s what made him so real. He knew where he came from. He spent years learning as a head lad. Then he went on to train over 3,200 winners, including major victories in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and St Leger, and classic wins in the 2000 and 1000 Guineas. Even when the Epsom Derby won’t listen, he gave it his best.
Years after retiring in 2011, he returned in 2014, taking a temporary licence when his son John died, showing how deep the family bond was. It’s emotional—you can almost see him in the yard, quiet but determined, training with purpose again.
A Facebook tribute captures it well:
“RIP Barry Hills ❤️ Responsible for handling the likes of Tap On Wood, Gildoran, Haafhd and Ghanaati, he leaves behind a great legacy.”
So many stories talk about stats and wins—but this… this was a life lived with heart. That’s what the sport will remember most.
Racing Dynasty and Family Legacy That Touched All
If you hear the name Hills in racing, it’s a big deal. Barry’s sons followed him into the sport:
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John Hills trained successfully, though tragically died of cancer in 2014.
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Michael and Richard Hills, his twin sons, became Classic-winning jockeys.
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Charlie Hills took over the training yard and built his own success.
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George Hills built a career in bloodstock insurance.
It feels like he didn’t just make winners. He made a family around winners. And losing Barry now, it’s like the end of a golden chapter—but they carry his fire.
His son Charlie said it well on X:“Gone but never forgotten #dad.”
Barry Hills, one of the outstanding British trainers of his generation and the founder of a major racing dynasty, has died at the age of 88. pic.twitter.com/naz5gvpvQl
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) June 28, 2025
That single line shows it all: love, pride, loss. The sport has lost its patriarch, but his legacy lives with every family member, every winner he trained, and every horse he cared for.
Illness, Grit, and the Power of Survival
Even after facing throat cancer in 2005, Barry didn’t quit. He had his voice box removed but didn’t let that stop him. He carried on training, showing the world how resilient he was.
He officially retired in 2011, but when John died, he stepped back in. That type of strength is unmeasurable—it is more than winning a race. It's about getting up every time life knocks you down.
To performing friends and colleagues in racing, John is remembered as “tough as nails” and he faced the odds on so many occasions with extraordinary gusto and grace. His journey reminds us that racing is not only about the horse or the trophies or having money or anything like that—it is about the personalities, the families, the challenges, and the redemptions.
Highlights of a Legendary Career
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Rode eight winners as apprentice jockey (1954–57)
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Took training licence in 1969
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Over 3,200 winners, including 10 British & Irish Classics
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Major wins:
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Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Rheingold, 1973)
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St Leger (Moonax, 1994)
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Guineas (Tap On Wood, Ghanaati)
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Gold Cups (Gildoran, 1984/85)
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Battled throat cancer in 2005, had voice box removed
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Retired in 2011; briefly returned in 2014 after son John’s death
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Fathered a dynasty: sons John, Michael, Richard, Charlie, George
Why Barry Hills’s Loss Feels So Deep
It’s not just the numbers. It’s the lessons: resilience in the face of illness, loyalty to family, steady passion. He didn't fade away quietly—he held on, even when life got hard.
Racing is talking about him today because he touched so many lives—from stable hands to jockeys, owners to fans. It’s not often someone reminds the sport of its heart so clearly.
Now, with his passing, people aren’t just remembering victories. They’re remembering late nights at the yard, whispered advice, shared tears, and the pride of watching the kids grow up in the racing world he once commanded.
Barry Hills’s story isn’t just about races won. It's about a life lived fully—a man who faced huge wins and deep losses, who built a family, survived illness, and inspired people across decades. It feels raw and real, and right now, the racing world is missing its heart.
Rest in peace, Barry.
