Decision soon on Sheikh Hamdan job

A decision on a successor to Richard Hills as retained jockey to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum is expected to be made soon.

Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager Angus Gold said they were keen to make an announcement shortly, with the start of the British turf season just weeks away.

"Nothing has been finalised yet. There has been plenty of speculation and now we have to think what to do and I need to speak to Sheikh Hamdan before anything is confirmed," said Gold.

"The season is coming up and I've got to sort it out quite quickly. It could be very soon. It's Sheikh Hamdan's call, so I've got to confirm everything with him first."

As soon as Hills announced on Sunday that he will retire on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on March 31 after being first jockey for 15 years, speculation was rife on who would be his successor.

While his understudy Tadhg O'Shea was immediately installed as hot favourite, Silvestre de Sousa attracted huge support and betting was suspended.

Gold went on: "There are only so many people who would be in the frame and those that are being mentioned are very much in the frame. I've not had chance to talk to Sheikh Hamdan as I was away for the weekend and out of range.

"Richard has been a huge asset to the operation. He's been around a long time, not just as first jockey but as second jockey before that. He worked for Tom Jones, so he got to know all the fillies in training at that stage and now they have turned into dams and grand-dams of horses running today.

"A big part has been his expertise in knowing family characteristics and getting to know the generations. It's not just a case of turning up at the races and being the best jockey in the world. He's very much a team player and that is what Sheikh Hamdan wants.

"Sheikh Hamdan himself is hugely involved in these horses and their careers. He pours a lot of money into the sport and is very much involved and as a result he wants somebody he knows and can talk to. Richard was all that and an outstanding work rider and a very good judge of a horse."