Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's retained jockey Richard Hills brings the curtain down on his stellar career in the saddle with four rides on World Cup night.
Top jockey ends his career on the big stage
Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's retained jockey Richard Hills brings the curtain down on his stellar career in the saddle with four rides on World Cup night.
The 49-year-old announced his intention to retire as a jockey last month after winning several Group One prizes, principally for his retaining owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, for whom he has been number one jockey for the last 15 years.
It is fitting that Hills will have his final mounts at Dubai's premier racecourse, having ridden in the United Arab Emirates since the sport gained a proper foothold in 1993, and spending 19 consecutive winters living in Dubai.
Hills said: "I spoke to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan in July last year and we both felt that for me to retire on Dubai World Cup night would be a great way to go.
"I won the 1999 Dubai World Cup on Almutawakel, so there will be many happy memories as well as some sadness.
"The whole experience has been fantastic from start to finish. I have enjoyed plenty of success over the years and I got a great reception when I rode at Jebel Ali for the last time on Saturday."
Hills' first ride on Saturday is in the Dubai Kahayla Classic, a race for Purebred Arabian horses.
Having won this race on four previous occasions (Bopp Moon 2003, Kaolino 2004 and Madjani in 2006 and 2007), Hills will be aboard
Versac Py, trained by UAE-based Frenchman Erwan Charpy.
The five-year-old has won his last four starts and represents Hills' best chance of a winner on his last day in the saddle.
"It would be nice to go into that winner's circle one more time, but either way, I have had a wonderful career," Hills said.
The rider's second mount is
Derbaas in the Etisalat-sponsored Godolphin Mile, whom he has chosen over fellow Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned runners Barbecue Eddie, Snaafy and Haatheq.
"It was a difficult decision," Hills continued.
"There probably isn't five lengths between them all but Derbaas is tough and has run consistently in Group races. I rode him in a piece of work recently and he went really well. I only hope I have chosen the right one."
Hills' final two rides are
Zanzamar in the Dubai Gold Cup and
Entifaadha in the UAE Derby.
The jockey concluded: "Sheikh Hamdan has been fantastic to me. I have ridden horses owned by him since 1982 and my five British classic victories have all been in his colours.
"I hope to be involved with Shadwell (Sheikh Hamdan's bloodstock operation) in the future, but now is the right time to be stepping down.
"I will have to get used to a totally new way of life. Equally, I am looking forward to doing all the things I haven't been able to do - like having eggs for breakfast."
Hamdan Al Maktoum's racing manager Angus Gold is keeping his fingers crossed one of Hills' mounts can find the target.
"It would be nice to think he has a squeak of having a winner somewhere, but it is World Cup night and it is never easy," said Gold.
"I believe he'll start off riding in an Arabian race, which is normally a good start for him.
"Entifaadha looks up against it in the Derby, but hopefully he'll run well.
"He had the choice of a few in the Godolphin Mile and Richard knows the formbook better than anyone, so hopefully he's chosen right."
