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The Stewards held an enquiry following a report from the Sampling Officer that Michael Hills had provided a breath sample which was found to contain alcohol in a concentration above the threshold level for breath samples. They interviewed the rider and the Sampling Officer. Having heard their evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Rule (D)65 and referred the matter to the British Horseracing Authority. Under Rule (D)66 the Stewards suspended Hills from riding for the rest of the day.
Interesting last day at Newmarket for Hills
How bad is the drinking culture in racing does anyone know.
Why did C4 just report he was unwell when they must clearly have known the truth?Absolutely ridiculous sanitisation from Channel Four, although I understand RUK did the same.
I hope this isn’t indicative of how C4 will be covering the sport in future.
Channel 4 and RUK gave the statements they did, not because they were looking to "sanitise" anything, but because they were going on an official statement by Michael Hills himself that he was giving up his rides because he was unwell. They could have corrected that impression when the stewards’ report came to light, but I can understand the desire not to undermine Hills on what was to be his last day.
Channel 4 and RUK gave the statements they did, not because they were looking to "sanitise" anything, but because they were going on an official statement by Michael Hills himself that he was giving up his rides because he was unwell. They could have corrected that impression when the stewards’ report came to light, but I can understand the desire not to undermine Hills on what was to be his last day.
Undermine his last day? He did that himself but turning up at the racecourse unfit to ride…. he chose to drink the alcohol. They had every opportunity to correct Hills misleading statement and chose not to.
OK let’s not call it sanitising, let’s call it what it really is…. Covering up the truth.
But then again that’s half the problem in this cosy little world of racing, there is too much covering one another’s backs and those who aren’t prepared to play the game soon end up as outsiders.
Had Michael Hills acted in a professional manner, there would be no need for cover-ups or anything else.
Surely he should have left off the alcohol until after his retirement, regardless of whether it was in his system from the night before or not.
Quite sad really, as he’s had a good career.
He even rode a Derby winner !
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
If it was still in his system from the night before then he has got a problem.
Never ceases to amaze me how nothing his ever really said about what is surely a problem in jockeys.
It would be interesting if the BHA ever published figures about how many jockeys they breath test on a daily basis and what readings they get.
Does anyone know what limit they work to. Is it the same as for the Road Traffic Law.If it was still in his system from the night before then he has got a problem.
Never ceases to amaze me how nothing his ever really said about what is surely a problem in jockeys.
It would be interesting if the BHA ever published figures about how many jockeys they breath test on a daily basis and what readings they get.
Does anyone know what limit they work to. Is it the same as for the Road Traffic Law.http://newrules.britishhorseracing.com/ … 48&depth=3
See part 5.
I believe the limit for drivers (breath test) is 35 micrograms per 100ml, whereas that constitutes the upper limit under BHA rules. The lower limit is less than half that, at 17 micrograms per 100ml. While jockeys can’t really complain about falling foul of the rules, it’s quite a jump to suggest that a failed test is a sign of an alcohol problem, for all that alcoholism has long been a major problem within the sport.
No evidence at all that jockeys have got much of a problem just because an odd one or two now and then fail a breath test.
If anything you’d probably expect more to fail with the test being so stringent.When I used to go in betting shops a lot, they all used to say Michael Hills was the genius and Richard was no good. Obviously they both very good jockeys, but oddly enough I can only remember one bloody good win on an M Hills ride, but many with his bro.
Being of mature years one might have thought Michael Hills would’ve been wise to the maxim ‘don’t go out on the lash if you’ve work the next day’
Those of us prone to the occasional mega-sesh have all done it though haven’t we? That morning after the night before, that cold, cold light of day and the 8 hours at work treading water with a sneaky, shaky amber restorative imbibed around midday that kick-starts the journey of the undead on the long road to the land of the living
This, I suspect, is all Mr Hills was guilty of and it was most unprofessional of him; but I for one won’t clamber aboard the high horse Moralising and denounce him as a ‘problem drinker’ or worse, though he might be, I don’t know and it’s none of my business anyway
Why the retirement bash before you’ve retired Michael? That I do find strange
Drone isn’t too unwell
Michael Hills was given a good ‘send off’ at Newmarket…
after the 4th race there was a presentation and his brother Richard was there as was dad Barry and all the Jocks came out to wish him well in his retirement. Non of us racegoers had any idea that he had been stood down from his rides because of testing positive for alchohol, the announcement had been made before the first race that he was ‘unwell’.
At his presentation he looked fine although a little sheepish as accolades were poured upon him..
Whatever made him turn to drink the night before he had a decent book of rides on his last day in the saddle, nobody will know but what a shame he couldn’t have held out for just one more day.
Now he will be remembered for all the wrong reasons and that’s a shame. I hope he finds a useful career within the racing world as brother Richard has done, he can’t have felt proud about that final farewell but must have had his reasons for doing it. I wish him well in his retirement.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...
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