Tag Archive for: Angus Gold

Almeraq powers to hugely impressive victory at Ayr

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William Haggas looks to have a very useful three-year-old in his armoury after Almeraq blitzed the field in the Fergie & Myra Happel Ayr Gold Cup Trial Handicap at Ayr.

The Shadwell-owned Dark Angel colt was making his handicap debut off a mark of 90 as the 2-1 favourite in Scotland and looked at ease as he stalked the early leaders in the six-furlong race.

He made headway at the halfway stage and moved in front at the two-furlong marker before kicking into top gear to breeze clear of his 17 rivals. Almeraq, who has an entry for the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock in September, powered to the line to complete a five-length success in the hands of Clifford Lee and enhance his growing reputation.

The four-year-old was slashed in price to 3-1 favourite with the sponsors for the Coral Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood, although Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold sounded a warning note over Almeraq lining in the big handicap on Saturday week.

“I was impressed with his performance and it’s good to see him come back to what we’d thought he might show,” Gold said.

“We always hoped last year that he would be a nice horse and he just had a few little niggles in the spring, which held William up when they wanted to get going with him.

“The only thing I would caution – I haven’t spoken to William, all options are open – but we’ve taken a long time and been very patient with him.

“Hopefully his future is all in front of him and hopefully in the autumn we will get some decent ground, so I’m not saying he won’t run at Goodwood, but I’d be surprised if he bounced straight back in after being so patient with him.

“It’s only 12 days away so let’s see. We’ll see what the weather does and see how he comes out of this.”

There was a shock in the opening racingtv.com/freetrial EBF Maiden Stakes as Chesham Stakes runner-up Thesecretadversary was beaten by debutant Rochfortbridge (28-1). Fozzy Stack’s colt went off as the 2-13 favourite, but he came out of the stalls slowly and was in the rear for much of the seven-furlong contest.

While Thesecretadversary came to the outside with two furlongs to go, Adrian Keatley’s charge proved too much as the 100,000 guineas buy claimed victory by three-quarters of a length, to leave his trainer eyeing up a tilt at the Acomb Stakes at York.

Barry Hills remembered as ‘one of the greats’

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Angus Gold described Barry Hills as “one of the greats in my lifetime”, as he joined the racing community in paying tribute to the training great following his death at the age of 88.

Hills sent out over 3,000 winners throughout his career, with many coming in the colours of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Shadwell operation, whom his son Richard Hills rode as retained rider for during a large portion of his career.

Father and son joined forces to win the 2000 Guineas with Haafhd in 2004, while five years later they added the 1000 Guineas in unison thanks to Ghanaati, with Shadwell’s long-serving racing manager Gold hailing Hills’ dedication to his craft following many years spent in the upper echelons of the training ranks.

Richard Hills celebrates after riding Haafhd to victory in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket
Richard Hills celebrates after riding Haafhd to victory in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket (Chris Radburn/PA)

He said: “For many, many years we were lucky enough to have horses with him and what a great man, you don’t need me to tell you the success he made of his life and career.

“He was a great trainer who was totally dedicated and lived for the sport. He was an incredibly shrewd man and a great judge of a horse and their capabilities from just watching them on the gallops.

“He was a fascinating man to be with and great fun. He was one of the greats in my lifetime and I learned a lot from him and even a month ago he was spotting things out on the gallops and still loved it even though he had given up the licence.”

Hills announced his retirement in August 2011 after overcoming serious illnesses, including throat cancer, but he did make a brief return to training on a temporary licence in 2014, before returning to background at the family’s Faringdon Place yard.

Ghanaati and Richard Hills after winning the 1000 Guineas
Ghanaati and Richard Hills after winning the 1000 Guineas (Sean Dempsey/PA)

However, as the head of a dynasty that is still influential in racing, his name will live on through the exploits of his sons, with Charlie Hills now continuing the Group One success synonymous with the famous Lambourn operation.

“He was a remarkable man and we were lucky to have him for so long, he was so tough,” continued Gold.

“He had been ill on and off for so long, it was just incredible his will to live and enthusiasm for life, a truly wonderful man.

“All five boys were heavily involved. Sadly John died and then you’ve the twins (Richard and Michael) who everyone obviously know all about and then there’s Charlie who trains and George who is making a fine career out in America, so it is a dynasty that will live on, there is no question about that.”

Gildoran after winning the Ascot Gold Cup under Steve Cauthen
Gildoran after winning the Ascot Gold Cup under Steve Cauthen (PA)

Among the countless big-race winners for Hills was Gildoran, who won the Ascot Gold Cup in 1984 and 1985.

The track said on X: “Everybody at Ascot Racecourse is saddened to hear about the death of Barry Hills. We send all our condolences to his friends and family at this time.

“Barry enjoyed huge success at Ascot and Royal Ascot including with the likes of Gildoran who was a dual Gold Cup winner and Sure Blade who won the Coventry Stakes, St James’s Palace Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.”

In similar vein, officials at York said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hills family. Barry had so many highlights on the Knavesmire, be it Handsome Sailor in the Coolmore Nunthorpe, Royal Applause in the Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack or Further Flight landing him a Sky Bet Ebor – Rest in Peace.”

The Racehorse Owners Association said: “Everyone at the ROA is deeply saddened by the passing of Barry Hills, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this time.

“Barry made an extraordinary contribution to racing and will be remembered as one of the sport’s true greats.”