Horse racing: Hills to quit saddle next month

Richard Hills has announced that he will retire from race-riding next month after a career spanning 33 years.

Hills, retained first jockey to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum since 1997, is to hang up his saddle for the last time on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on 31 March.

The 49-year-old said in a statement: “It has been my privilege to ride for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum as first jockey for the last 15 years and previously as second jockey to W [Willie] Carson for two years. No jockey could have ridden for a more loyal and supportive owner.”