Hannagan is Hills Replacement

Paul Hanagan will replace retiring Richard Hills as retained rider for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

Two-times champion jockey Hanagan will take up his new role when Hills retires on Dubai World Cup night on 31 March.

Hills saddled five British Classic winners for Sheikh Hamdan.

Angus Gold, racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan, said: "Having been such an integral part of the very successful Richard Fahey team for so long, I know that Paul will be a tremendous asset."

Gold said that Hanagan will still be given the opportunity to ride Fahey's horses when possible.

He added: "I would like to express our thanks to Richard Fahey, and feel sure that both he and Paul will be keen to maintain their relationship when Paul's commitments to Sheikh Hamdan allow, and we very much look forward to working with Paul in the coming years.

"At the same time, I would like to pay tribute to Richard Hills and thank him for the enormous contribution he has made to the success of the Shadwell horses over the last 20 years or so, and hope we can continue to count on his experience in the future."

Jockey Richard Hills Next Month

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's retained jockey Richard Hills is to retire from the saddle on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on March 31.

In a statement issued through his agent John Robertson, Hills said: "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. I was very fortunate to start my career with a great man in Tom Jones and without him much of what I have achieved would not have been possible."

Hills, whose career has spanned 33 years, rode five British Classic winners for Sheikh Hamdan, taking the 1000 Guineas on Harayir (1995), Lahan (2000) and Ghanaati (2009).

He won the 2000 Guineas on Haafhd in 2004 - like Ghanaati trained by his father Barry - and the Oaks on the Michael Jarvis-trained Eswarah in 2005.

In 1999, Hills won the Dubai World Cup on the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Almutawakel.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's retained jockey Richard Hills is to retire from the saddle on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on March 31.

In a statement issued through his agent John Robertson, Hills said: "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. I was very fortunate to start my career with a great man in Tom Jones and without him much of what I have achieved would not have been possible."

Hills, whose career has spanned 33 years, rode five British Classic winners for Sheikh Hamdan, taking the 1000 Guineas on Harayir (1995), Lahan (2000) and Ghanaati (2009).

He won the 2000 Guineas on Haafhd in 2004 - like Ghanaati trained by his father Barry - and the Oaks on the Michael Jarvis-trained Eswarah in 2005.

In 1999, Hills won the Dubai World Cup on the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Almutawakel.