Hills announces retirement plans

The 49-year-old has ridden more than 1,840 domestic winners since his first in October 1979 and since 1997 has been Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s retained jockey,
Hills has rode five British Classic winners for Sheikh Hamdan and can boast major victories in the Champion Stakes, Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and the St Leger throughout an illustrious and trophy-laden career.
He has announced his last ride will be at the Dubai World Cup on March 31 and is set to continue working for Sheikh Hamdan in another capacity after hanging up his saddle.
Hills issued a statement through his British agent John Robertson, which said: “It has been my privilege to ride for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum as first jockey for the last 15 years and previously as second jockey to Willie Carson for two years.
“No jockey could have ridden for a more loyal and supportive owner.
“I was very fortunate to start my career with a great man in Tom Jones and without him much of what I have achieved would not have been possible.
“I now want to use my knowledge and experience gained during my career to date to further contribute to Sheikh Hamdan and the Shadwell team. Closing one chapter, a new one begins.”