dont know but glad he's retiring,useless jockey,better off with the gimp from pulp fiction in the saddle
Best of luck to him. I know a lot of people on here dislike him as a jockey, but he did a marvellous job with my boy and for that I'm truly grateful. His statement seems to suggest that he is going to get involved in the stud side of things with Shadwell, which makes sense as his wife works in the stud business.
I am one of those who have been a critic of him as i think he is a very poor Jockey in comparison to even some of his lesser profile peers , he is however a very articulate gentleman and a credit to the sport. I am glad he has taken this decision as the horses who go to post in those classic colours deserve the best of riders, i do however hope he remains within the sport and wish him the best of luck. I would like to see William Carson taken into the Hamdan fold, maybe not as first Jockey just yet but certainly second string. As for top spot there is no obvious candiadte and personally i would run without a retained Jockey in which case he would get the best of his trainers retained jockeys.
I think the reason the guy is widely hated by punters, is because when it came to a tight finish, the guy never looked like he was giving his all in the saddle. When you back a horse, you want to see a jockey throwing everything at the horse to get the horse home in front, which is what most jockeys do. The guy wasn't a bad jockey overall, he was very good at judging the pace, and stealing a race from the front. He was also very good in big field handicaps, particularly sprints, as he was good at delivering his challenge at the right time. I must say though I am glad he's retiring, as atleast the Hamdan horse's will have a jockey who actually try's on board. I realy hope they don't go with O'Shea, as he's worse than Hills, I'd like to see someone like De Sousa get it, he'd put those famous colours, back to were they were in the 80s
I forget who it was but i remember reading an interview with a top jockey, he said Race riding is pretty straight forward you take a position you hold your position and you ask at the right time and ride your finish. In my opinion Richard Hills fell short on the final and some would say race winning aspect of that synopsis, the finish. He was simply too weak, if Hayley Turner were that ineffective in a finish she would have been slaughtered. It is actually great watching how individual Jockeys ride a finish, Fallon will start winding up a furlong before anyone else, Hughes will always be the last to ask.... where as Jamie trys to win sometimes by skipping the last bit and not even asking.
He is obviously not my or most people's favourite jockey by any stretch. However, he seems a nice enough guy and he always conducted himself very well. Let' not forget, you have to be pretty brave, even as a flat jockey. So full respect to the guy. I think we might well see an improvement in Hamdans results over the next few years. Hopefully he will not give good horses to the likes of Marcus Tregoning! Give a few more to Roger Varian and let some good jockey ride your horses.
Supposedly De Sousa was 7/2 to get the Hamdan job, they then shortened him up to 6/4, and now they've suspended the market. Supposedly De Sousa is a certainty now. If this is the case, then that's a great appointment, he was the best jockey riding last year, he just didn't quite have enough ammunition to beat Hanagan. I think he will get the better of Hanagan this year though, as more owners will be prepared to put him up after his performances last year. It's ironic that Hills retires just after these new whip rules have come in, because if those rules were going to suit any jockey then it would be RH, as he's never been guilty of overusing the whip
"It's ironic that Hills retires just after these new whip rules have come in, because if those rules were going to suit any jockey then it would be RH, as he's never been guilty of overusing the whip." His wife says different!
William Buick? I know hes riding for a powerful stable already but there aren't many bigger jobs in racing than riding in those famous Hamden colours! Although I do agree if De Sousa gets it then it will be a good appointment
There arent many good available candidates at the right age, so SDS does stand out and I hope he gets it.
Would'nt it be great if after all the sighs of relief and speculation they released an anouncement that they were keeping it in the family and Michael Hills was going to step up to the plate.
Pleased for him, think it's a great decision. He'll be putting Richard Hills to shame in no time - 100 winners for the Sheikh this season?
