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We had thirty minutes with the top English trainer to discuss 'Equilateral’ and working at Faringdon Place Stables in Lambourn
Racing has always been about immense patience. Today, for the man behind top-quality horses such as Battaash, Just The Judge, Muhaarar, Cotai Glory, Dutch Connection, Chriselliam, Phoenix Of Spain, Tilsit, Mujbar, Khaadem among others, that means being patient and keeping things simple. Here, the son of Classic-winning trainer Barry Hillstalks about his 2021 Middle East campaign, buying horses and his inspirations.
Equilateral under top international jockey, Frankie Dettori won the 1000m Dubai Dash on the first #DWCCarnival race night. Although a dual winner, the 6YO Equiano gelding raced in the silks of his breeder, Prince Khalid Abdullah(who sadly died earlier this year), in 2020 and raced for his new owner Fitriani Hay after changing hands in the previous summer.
Q: Expectations are always altitudinous when you send horses, as you have a habit of delivering time and time again. What are your plans for the Dubai World Cup and the Saudi Cup?
A: Equilateral is being pointed at the Gr.2 Meydan Sprint and thereafter, if he shows promise, he will race on World Cup night. We also have Sheikh Hamdan’s Khaadem who is likely to race on World Cup night as well.
Tilsit has an invite for the Saudi Cup race day and we are leaning towards racing him in the 10.5 furlongs Saudi International Handicap in a few weeks.
Q: What has been your favourite Dubai World Cup night so far?
A: We haven’t properly targeted the Dubai World Cup yet, but we had a lovely horse Red Jazz who was dual runner up in the Gr.2 Godolphin Mile and we also had Redwood who was second in the Gr.1 Sheema Classic on World Cup night. I hope to see more horses being prepared for racing in the Middle East with the considerable prize money on offer.
Q: Who is your favourite racehorse of all time?
A: I’ve always loved Sea The Stars. It would be great to have a horse like him. Obviously, I’m very fond of Battaash – he’s a horse of a lifetime.
Q: What are your plans for Battaash?
A: He is currently on a break. I have been told he’s got a lovely thick winter coat on. He’s always won first time out and we have a couple of options for him. Either he will be pointed at the Temple Stakes at Haydock followed by the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot or he could go directly to Ascot.
Q: Most people are influenced by their environment and the people around them. As a trainer, you have worked with both your own Classic-winning father Barry Hills and top Australian trainers Colin & Peter Hayes. How would you define your training style?
A: I am very patient with my horses and don’t like to push them. I try to keep it as simple as possible. In fact, we are still training in the same facility as my father. The yard is virtually unchanged except that we have replaced the wood-chip track with a new Polytrack. Mentally, we want our horses to remain as fresh as possible.