Trainer David Hill dies in Texas

Former Kranji trainer David Hill died in Texas in the United States on Oct 17 at age 74.

The British handler has been battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, which was first diagnosed around a year ago.

After an initial period of recovery, the tumour unfortunately returned. Hill did not survive the second onset.

His daughter Samantha, who was his assistant trainer towards the latter part of his 14 years (2006 to 2019) in Singapore, said that her father had been enjoying his retirement in America since he hung up his binoculars, but it all went downhill once his health issues began.

"After we left Singapore, Dad was just happy being a grandpa and spending time at my ranch in Dickinson," said Hill.

"He even made a full recovery after his first diagnosis, but it came back. His health declined suddenly in the last few weeks. It was all very quick."

Hill said her father's dry wit and tendency to shun the limelight stayed with him until the end, even in death.

"My dad's wish was to have no funeral. He's always been someone who didn't like any fanfare," she said.

"Even as a trainer, he never chased the numbers. He was happy with the horses he had, and did the right thing by them."

Since Hill's arrival in the Republic from Hong Kong, where he was crowned joint champion trainer in the 1992-93 season, he never had a stable full of stars.

But with an average of 21 winners per season, he still managed to get 291 winners on the scoresheet, including eight at Group level, the pinnacle being Flax in the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1,800m) in 2012.

Despite his well-documented heat stress issues post-race, the South African-bred gelding was Hill's best advertisement of his patience and horsemanship.

"Flax retired at the ripe old age of nine. He only had a three-run prep and dad would then put him away," recalled Hill.

"He loved animals and that's why our stable was always full of cats.

"He also loved the underdog. He never went for the big-name jockeys, instead he believed in honesty and kindness.

"One of the things my dad taught me still holds true today. He always told me to say good morning to everybody, whether they're your friends or your enemies."

Sam Subian was one of his go-to jockeys in the day. It was a solid working relationship that developed into a friendship.

The Malaysian rider, who became a paraplegic after injuring his spine in a barrier trial fall in June 2017, said he had feared the worst after Hill's daughter had texted him about her father's deteriorating health.

"It was heartbreaking when Sammi called me a couple of weeks ago to tell me her dad would not live long," he said.

"Not too long ago, he looked to be okay. He had even put on weight, I didn't think it would hit him hard again.

"What was more heartbreaking to me was to hear he didn't want to live any more when he was such a fighter. The pain must have been so unbearable for him to give up any hope.

"When I had my injury, he told me he wanted to give up. He told me he didn't have any good horses, but who else knew his horses better than me.

"One good example of a tricky horse was Highlight. All the best jockeys have ridden him but he said I was the only one who could make him win.

"With my riding career over, he said there wasn't much point to continue. I was very touched by that.

"He had a funny way of expressing himself when he liked someone. But no doubt he's one of the best trainers I've everworkedwith."

Born in Ooty in Tamil Nadu, India, Hill honed his craft with his father-trainer Samuel, beginning his training career in Madras (now Chennai) where he won many classics.

The late Hong Kong trainer Lawrie Fownes (Caspar's father), who was also born in India, was the one who brought his good mate Hill to the then British colony in 1987.

Success was not instant, but after six winless months, perseverance eventually paid off, for what was to turn into a haul of 377 winners.

He was crowned joint champion trainer in Hong Kong in the 1992-93 racing season and will forever be remembered for being the trainer of Hong Kong's long-time only Triple Crown winner, River Verdon (1994), until Voyage Bubble repeated the 31-year-old feat in 2025.

At Kranji, Hill did not fly off the starting blocks either. It took him around three and a half months to get on board, with Fortune Way on June 16, 2006.

Even with the small team at his disposal, he knocked in his fair share of winners, but an even sharper drop in numbers saw him bag only five winners in 2019. Shortly after his last winner Rapid Fire on March 29, 2019 took his final Kranji tally to 291, Hill handed in his licence and called it a day.

Besides Flax, his other smart horses include juvenile champion Onceuponatime, Beau Brummell and Hughsy.

Hill leaves behind wife Suzanne, three children, Christopher, Sarah and Samantha and six grandchildren.

manyan@sph.com.sg