Michael Hills (jockey)

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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 retired flat racing jockey Richard Hills and their father was 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.Template:Sfn 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 with a whip after a race.Template:Sfn

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.<ref name=Jockeypedia/>

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

Template:Flagicon Great Britain

Ascot Gold Cup – (1) – Arcadian Heights (1994)
Champion Stakes – (1) – Storming Home (2002)<ref name=BBC021019/>
Coronation Stakes – (2) – Rebecca Sharp (1997), Maids Causeway (2005)<ref name=YP/>
Derby – (1) – Shaamit (1996)<ref name=Ind960609/>
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)