Legendary trainer Barry Hills has died aged 88.
A trainer of more than 3,000 winners, Barry Hills took out his license in 1969 following spending 10 years learning his trade as head lad with John Oxley.
Hills, who also rode nine winners as an apprentice prior to his training days, saddled his first winner when La Dolce Vita struck at Thirsk in April 1969.
Barry Hills was father to retired Classic-winning jockeys Michael and Richard, current successful trainer Charlie, former handler John, who sadly passed away due to cancer in June, and George, who works bloodstock insurance.
In a post on his X account, Charlie Hills said: "Gone but will never be forgotten #dad."
A statement from the British Horseracing Authority read: "All of us at the BHA are saddened to learn of the death of Barry Hills and send our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.
"Barry's contribution to racing was immense and he will rightly be remembered as one of the great figures of our sport."
Winner of four of the five British Classics, the Epsom Derby ultimately eluded Barry Hills, although the handler proved his versatility among the training ranks when saddling Nomadic Way to land the 1992 Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival under Jamie Osborne.
Barry Hills enjoyed notable Classic success when Haafhd struck in the 2004 2000 Guineas under his son Richard for leading owner-breeder Hamdan Al Maktoum.
As well as claiming the 2000 Guineas, Hills also produced a sensational training performance to get Sheikh Hamdan's Ghanaati to win the 1000 Guineas in 2009. The daughter of Giant's Causeway was winning the opening fillies' Classic on her turf before going on to claim the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Before the triumphs of Haafhd and Ghanaati, he also won the 1000 Guineas with Enstone Spark (1978) and the 2000 Guineas with Tap On Wood (1979).
Hills was no stranger to success at the Royal meeting, having saddled Gildoran to win back-to-back Ascot Gold Cup's in 1984 and 1985, while Sure Blade claimed the St James's Palace Stakes the following year before son Michael steered the speedy Equiano to victory in the 2010 King's Stand Stakes.
Furthermore, Hills tasted success at the highest level in France, with Rheingold striking in the 1973 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe under Lester Piggott.
Hills retired from the training ranks in August 2011 due to throat cancer, handing the license over to his son Charlie. However, he returned to training in 2014 for a temporary spell of two years following the tragic passing of his son George.
