Semi-retired trainer Barry Hills, 78, will retire for good at the end of the 2015 Flat season according to Racing Post. The master of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Kingwood House Stables will pass the torch to Owen Burrows, assistant to Sir Michael Stoute for 13 years.
“Owen was the only person we interviewed,” Hills told Racing Post. “We all liked him and agreed he'd fit the bill. He's level-headed and has a good background in racing. The idea is for Owen to take over next year, with me helping to steer him into it. Everything should work out. It's a wonderful opportunity for him. I'll continue to be involved, but the time will be right for me to step down as trainer. I can't go on forever.”
Hills originally retired in 2011 with his Faringdon Place Stables going to his son Charlie, his longtime assistant, but was granted another license to oversee 12 horses for Sheikh Hamdan at Kingwood after his son John passed away. The trainer manages 38 horses this year including G1 1000 Guineas hope Fadhayyil (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) and the pair of G1 2000 Guineas prospects Nafaqa (Ire) (Sir Percy {GB}) and Algaith (Dubawi {Ire}).
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