Dexter, their biggest winner was Gildoran in '84. But his best winner in the Hill's period other than Tap on Wood was probably Cormorant Wood. Sangster was an innovator, of that there was no doubt, but his next big gambles on Dickinson and Malton can't really be seen as good moves. I saw Cauthen ride his first winner at Salisbury (a mucky day) and I think Tap on Wood ran 4th in the Guineas Trial (?) behind Lake City. I was also at Epsom for the 200th Derby and your question had me scratching my head. I couldn't remember Shead having 3 runners but could remember Cracaval (who also saw win the Vase earlier: Sangster bred). He was a pretty good horse as didn't he beat Ile de Bourbon in the September Stakes later in the year? I think the other runner must have been Two of Diamonds as he had won the Dee Stakes. I have no idea on the jockeys but will guess Ernie Johnson (who'd just relinquished his relationship with Hills) was on one of them. I'd take a chance on a French jockey, maybe Yves St Martin on the other (have got the racecard somewhere in the uk!!). Didn't Hern have a 3rd runner in that Derby? Other noteworthy thing that Derby day was that I found myself in a queue for the gents with Enoch Powell. Didn't spend the whole of '79 at the races, in fact other than 2 visits to Newbury and then Oaks day that was that for me. Hills always liked a Derby runner and that may have cost Cauthen a first Derby winner in '83, because it was Cauthen who rode Teenoso in the Lingfield Derby Trial, but he had to get off him on D-Day. The rest was history. Anyway good luck to Doyle.
Bustino...spot on as always. Tap On Wood actually ran in that Derby as well to complete the shead threesome. You were certainly along the right lines re the other jockey,it was actually Willie Shoemaker. Shead was a tremendous enthusiast and I can remember his Kind Of Hush,who won the craven at 25's or something,running in the then Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes at Leopardstown.My Dad worked in Dublin at the time and we travelled over for weekends.I think KOH also won the September Stakes but was never really a G1'er. That card actually had the Oldbawn Maiden.Some argue the maiden that Frankel won at HQ to be the best ever when he beat Nathaniel. I disagree,this maiden had Golden Fleece,running in the Binet colours,beating the David O'Brien trained Assert. I was about ten but was captivated...something magical about going racing in Ireland..it's like a religion. Between them,as 3-y-o's,they won the Derby,The French Derby and the Irish Derby....now thats the best maiden ever run..no doubt at all.
I believe the $6m kid actually won on his first ride for Hills and his first ride over here..Marquee something or other..the name escapes me...
Yes Dexter you are right. He won on Marquee Universal in the first at Salisbury (in those years it ran the two classic trrals transferred from Ascot: all no more): but that was a handicap. The crowds, despite the weather and the going, were big for Salisbury and I just got up on the course in time to see the runners flash by. Later in the day the course car got stuck on the straight and it looked as if the card would be abandoned. Always felt Tap on Wood shouldn't have won the Guineas because Cecil's Kris was a better horse, but it didn't fire on the day. After the Derby ToW ran very little, but did win the Kiveton Stakes at Donny in September. He was a prolific 2yo of course and and on Lingfield Derby/Oaks day saw it win about its 4th race of the previous season 9think it won 7 as a 2yo). His stud career was a bit messed up because the teaser got to a couple of his mares. Never been racing in Ireland which is a sad omission. It must have been great and that race sounds quite a maiden!
