Nicky Henderson pays tribute to ‘legend’ Barry Hills after former Lambourn trainer dies aged 88

Nicky Henderson has paid tribute to Barry Hills, after the legendary trainer passed away on on Friday aged 88.

Hills was a legend of the racing game, winning four of the five British Classics at least once.

He was often the primary challenger to the Newmarket pair of Sir Henry Cecil and Sir Michael Stoute, training 3,181 winners in Britain across his career.

Henderson, who was a close friend of Hills for decades, paid a touching tribute when speaking to Newbury Today.

“The Hills family and the Henderson family have a long history,” he said.

“We first met in 1978 when I started training.

“He’d already been a trainer for a long time and I had ridden quite a few horses for him.

“We became very, very good friends.

“We’ve been together ever since and it’s been an incredible journey.”

Hills was, by all accounts, a formidable personality.

He started out as an apprentice jockey in the 1950s, launching his training career after a huge antepost bet on Frankincense in the 1968 Lincoln paid off to the tune of what would be £900,000 in 2025.

Many tributes have mentioned his forthright approach and straight way of doing business, underpinned by a steely determination to succeed.

“He was a wise old owl, he really was,” continued Henderson.

“An outstanding trainer, but he built a dynasty with the Hills family.

“We were always very close and I learned from him.

“He had his opinions on nearly everything.

“I can’t say I always agreed with him, but there was no point in disagreeing!

“If he thought something should happen, then so be it.

“We did everything together, holidays, Sunday lunches, I spoke to him most days.

“They were great times. We’re all going to miss him enormously”

Hills’ story is an inspirational one.

Having started in the sport with next to nothing, he reached a point in the 1980s where he was the only trainer to run horses for every major owner in the country.

At one point, Hills was the only trainer in Lambourn with a yard of more than 100 horses.

“He’s an example to anybody who wants to make it, full stop,” said Henderson.

“It can be done, if you’ve got the will and determination to do it.

“He was an example to so many people.

“Ask all his staff, his jockeys, he’d tell you when you were wrong and he was very forthright.

“But everybody loved him and respected him for what he was.

“He was honest, straight and he seriously believed in what he did.

“Racing and Lambourn in particular have lost a complete legend.”