Classic heroes and Arc angel Rheingold on the list of Barry Hills giants
Further Flight
Not the classiest performer Hills ever trained, but arguably the most popular and certainly the most hardy. Racing from 1988 to 1998, the grey won 24 of his 70 races, including top staying races such as the Goodwood Cup and Ebor. However, he is best remembered for winning the Jockey Club at Newmarket five years in a row (1991 to 1995).
Haafhd
Haafhd bridged a 10-year gap without Classic success for Hills in 2004 when landing the 2000 Guineas, ridden by his son, Richard. Haafhd clearly saved his best for Newmarket, as he had earlier won the Craven Stakes and ended his career that autumn with victory in the Champion Stakes.
Moonax
The most unlikely of Hills' Classic winners was Moonax when he took the St Leger at odds of 40-1. In the expert hands of Pat Eddery, the enigmatic colt defeated none other than Broadway Flyer, trained by Hills' son, John, and ridden by another son, Michael. Moonax showed that victory was no fluke by following up in the French St Leger a month later.
Rheingold
The best horse Barry Hills ever trained came early in his career. Rheingold almost gave him a Derby triumph, but he was just touched off by Roberto in 1972. However, a year later the colt ran out an impressive winner of Europe's premier race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, beating the brilliant Allez France by two and a half lengths.
Tap On Wood
Hills' first major success at Newmarket came with Tap On Wood in the 1979 2000 Guineas, as he upstaged hot favourite Kris in the hands of Steve Cauthen. The young American had recently been enticed to Britain at the request of Robert Sangster and showed his prowess by driving Tap On Wood home by half a length.
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South Wales Guardian
3 hours ago
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Lambourn aiming to join list of Ballydoyle greats
O'Brien has won the Curragh showpiece a record 16 times, including in the past two seasons with Auguste Rodin (2023) and Los Angeles (2024), and now Lambourn will bid to replicate his sire Australia by following up blue riband success from Epsom on home soil. 'He's a lovely horse and like Australia himself, an absolute gentleman,' said O'Brien. 'He has a great mind, stays well and is uncomplicated. He's a lovely horse to do anything with and he's just one of those very unique horses – he's scopey and classy and obviously we were delighted with him in Epsom. 'Wayne (Lordan) gave him a beautiful ride at Epsom and Ryan (Moore) rode him the same in Chester – he rode him forward. He won his races doing that last year and when you have a horse like that who is not held hostage to any other horse in the race or anything, he's just so straightforward. 'Australia was the only horse we ever had here with no fight or flight response and this horse is the same. When you put him in first gear he stays in first gear and second gear is the same and third, fourth up along. 'He's not influenced by any of his surroundings or any horse around him – he's a total independent thinker and those type of horses are really a pleasure to deal with.' It was Joseph O'Brien who was aboard Lambourn's sire Australia for his father when he secured dual Derby honours in 2014 and he will now seek to win the race for a second time as a trainer with Epsom third Tennessee Stud after Latrobe's success in 2018. 'We were very proud of Tennessee Stud's run in Epsom. He got back a little bit early, but he came home very strong,' said O'Brien. 'The plan was to come back to the Curragh and his preparation has gone smoothly. We are excited about a rematch with Lambourn. 'I think Tennessee Stud is open to a lot of improvement. His first run of the year was off an extended lay off, he came forward a lot from that run in Epsom where he ran a career best and we'd love if he could run another career best in the Curragh.' Ralph Beckett knows what it is like to win the Irish Derby following Epsom disappointment, having seen Westover gain Classic compensation on the Curragh in 2022, and will hope to see his Dante scorer Pride Of Arras bounce back after misfiring in his first shot at Classic glory. Pride Of Arras remains unbeaten to win the @ABE_Dubai Dante Stakes at 18/1! The Lion In Winter finishes sixth on his return at @yorkracecourse @RalphBeckett | @Rossaryan15 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 15, 2025 One of two in the race for Beckett alongside Cocked Hat runner-up Sir Dinadan, the Pride Of Arras team are firmly retaining belief in the talented son of New Bay and feel a trip to the Curragh could inspire a return to the sparkling form he showed previously at York. 'You would think Lambourn will try to do similar to what he did at Epsom, we've just got to try and see if we can get closer,' said Patrick Cooper, owners David and Vimy Aykroyd's racing manager. 'The Curragh is one of the great racecourses in the world and the track at the Curragh is as good as there is anywhere – it will suit everyone and there is no horse who isn't suited by the Curragh. 'When you have a good horse like this you have to enjoy it and he showed us how good he was in the Dante, so we're entitled to keep dreaming.' Also taking their second crack at Classic glory is Jessica Harrington's Green Impact, who bounced back from his sixth in the 2000 Guineas to take the Glencairn Stakes earlier this month, with connections now keen to explore a mile and a half with the son of Wootton Bassett. Harrington said: 'At the time I was disappointed about the Guineas, but on reflection it wasn't a bad run and then he went on to win well at Leopardstown last time. After that it was a case of all roads lead to the Irish Derby. 'I think he'll stay. He's by Wootton Bassett out of a Galileo mare and is very laid back and relaxed. He's a big, long-striding horse and the Curragh should suit him.'
North Wales Chronicle
3 hours ago
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Steve Cauthen salutes ‘mentor' Barry Hills with memories of special relationship
Although a Triple Crown-winning jockey Stateside, Cauthen was only 19 when owner Robert Sangster lured the 'Kentucky Kid' across the Atlantic in 1979, where the young American was given a crash course in British mannerisms but quickly inducted into the Hills fold with open arms. Cauthen told the PA news agency: 'I can't say enough good things about both Barry and (his wife) Penny and when I came over in 1979 they not only took me under their wing they took me into their house. 'They were wonderful to me, Barry took a day or two to get used to as he could be gruff at times, but he was always trying to just get the job done – Penny was great at helping me understand he wasn't necessarily mad at me! 'They always made sure I had everything I needed when they were shipping me off out of town or to Scotland or wherever, it was a great relationship. 'Barry taught me a lot and helped me grow up and helped me to get to the top in England. Barry made a big move from stable lad to trainer and was never going back and he would try to get everyone in the yard motivated to 'get off their arse' as he would say. 'He was a great horseman, but more than that he loved to have fun – he bought me my first set of golf clubs, he was a mentor and like a dad to me.' As well as their budding relationship off the track, Hills and Cauthen's association on it was also an immediate success as Tap On Wood secured 2000 Guineas glory in their very first Classic in unison. There would be many other great days together during their time, with the 65-year-old American never able to forget Gildoran providing the fitting finish to his time at Manton in the 1984 Ascot Gold Cup. Cauthen continued: 'Barry was a great trainer, but we had some ups and downs and when I first got there we won three or four Group races, including the 2000 Guineas, and then the horses got sick, which was a nightmare. 'The next year things weren't all that great, but we kept going and building and the winners at Ascot started to happen and Cormorant Wood came along and we would win some big races with her. 'Gildoran winning the Gold Cup at Ascot the last year I was with them was obviously a big moment being Mr Sangster's horse and it was an exciting day which capped off our six years together.' Cauthen would eventually head east to Newmarket to link up with Sir Henry Cecil, but he would never forget his adopted home and a friendship with the Hills family that has stood the test of time. He may no longer be able to reminisce with one of the outstanding trainers of his generation on his visits to the UK, but remains sure Hills' many words of wisdom will remain ringing in the ears of those closest to him. Cauthen said: 'We had some great times. There are so many funny stories down the years and it was tough for me to move to Henry Cecil. Even though it was the right thing for my career, it was a hard thing to do as I felt so close to Barry and Penny. 'We remained great friends and they are like family to me. I was honoured I was one of the first calls Michael (Hills) made after Barry died, as he knew how close we were. 'I would never go back to Britain without calling them and seeing when we could meet, it was always my number one priority. 'Penny and the family will miss him, but I'm sure he will still be with us all. We will never forget the stuff he would say and there will be situations where it will hit you right between the eyes and his words will pop into our heads.'
North Wales Chronicle
3 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Lambourn aiming to join list of Ballydoyle greats
O'Brien has won the Curragh showpiece a record 16 times, including in the past two seasons with Auguste Rodin (2023) and Los Angeles (2024), and now Lambourn will bid to replicate his sire Australia by following up blue riband success from Epsom on home soil. 'He's a lovely horse and like Australia himself, an absolute gentleman,' said O'Brien. 'He has a great mind, stays well and is uncomplicated. He's a lovely horse to do anything with and he's just one of those very unique horses – he's scopey and classy and obviously we were delighted with him in Epsom. 'Wayne (Lordan) gave him a beautiful ride at Epsom and Ryan (Moore) rode him the same in Chester – he rode him forward. He won his races doing that last year and when you have a horse like that who is not held hostage to any other horse in the race or anything, he's just so straightforward. 'Australia was the only horse we ever had here with no fight or flight response and this horse is the same. When you put him in first gear he stays in first gear and second gear is the same and third, fourth up along. 'He's not influenced by any of his surroundings or any horse around him – he's a total independent thinker and those type of horses are really a pleasure to deal with.' It was Joseph O'Brien who was aboard Lambourn's sire Australia for his father when he secured dual Derby honours in 2014 and he will now seek to win the race for a second time as a trainer with Epsom third Tennessee Stud after Latrobe's success in 2018. 'We were very proud of Tennessee Stud's run in Epsom. He got back a little bit early, but he came home very strong,' said O'Brien. 'The plan was to come back to the Curragh and his preparation has gone smoothly. We are excited about a rematch with Lambourn. 'I think Tennessee Stud is open to a lot of improvement. His first run of the year was off an extended lay off, he came forward a lot from that run in Epsom where he ran a career best and we'd love if he could run another career best in the Curragh.' Ralph Beckett knows what it is like to win the Irish Derby following Epsom disappointment, having seen Westover gain Classic compensation on the Curragh in 2022, and will hope to see his Dante scorer Pride Of Arras bounce back after misfiring in his first shot at Classic glory. Pride Of Arras remains unbeaten to win the @ABE_Dubai Dante Stakes at 18/1! The Lion In Winter finishes sixth on his return at @yorkracecourse @RalphBeckett | @Rossaryan15 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 15, 2025 One of two in the race for Beckett alongside Cocked Hat runner-up Sir Dinadan, the Pride Of Arras team are firmly retaining belief in the talented son of New Bay and feel a trip to the Curragh could inspire a return to the sparkling form he showed previously at York. 'You would think Lambourn will try to do similar to what he did at Epsom, we've just got to try and see if we can get closer,' said Patrick Cooper, owners David and Vimy Aykroyd's racing manager. 'The Curragh is one of the great racecourses in the world and the track at the Curragh is as good as there is anywhere – it will suit everyone and there is no horse who isn't suited by the Curragh. 'When you have a good horse like this you have to enjoy it and he showed us how good he was in the Dante, so we're entitled to keep dreaming.' Also taking their second crack at Classic glory is Jessica Harrington's Green Impact, who bounced back from his sixth in the 2000 Guineas to take the Glencairn Stakes earlier this month, with connections now keen to explore a mile and a half with the son of Wootton Bassett. Harrington said: 'At the time I was disappointed about the Guineas, but on reflection it wasn't a bad run and then he went on to win well at Leopardstown last time. After that it was a case of all roads lead to the Irish Derby. 'I think he'll stay. He's by Wootton Bassett out of a Galileo mare and is very laid back and relaxed. He's a big, long-striding horse and the Curragh should suit him.'
