Niki Hill Bids Farewell to Racing

Dan Patch Award recipient Niki Hill to start broodmare career in 2024.

Niki Hill, the esteemed recipient of the Dan Patch Award, has officially concluded her racing career. This illustrious pacing mare, who has accumulated a substantial fortune, is poised to venture into the realm of broodmares in the forthcoming year.

The lineage of Niki Hill traces back to her distinguished parentage, being sired by Always B Miki and stemming from the lineage of the esteemed Bettors Delight mare, Road Bet. Niki Hill burst onto the scene during her remarkable debut season, capturing the attention of the racing world with her exceptional performances.

Under the guidance of trainer Chris Ryder, Niki Hill showcased her prowess by clinching victory in nine out of ten races during her maiden campaign. Her triumphs included prestigious wins in the Shes A Great Lady, Kindergarten, and Three Diamonds stakes events. Despite facing a setback in her Breeders Crown elimination at The Meadowlands, Niki Hill demonstrated her resilience by storming back with an outstanding 1:51 victory in the final race, steered by the talented Dexter Dunn. This remarkable feat culminated in her well-deserved accolade as the recipient of the 2021 Dan Patch Award in her division.

Although Niki Hill encountered a challenging start to her three-year-old season due to a minor injury during a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes event, she made a triumphant return after a brief hiatus. Her comeback was nothing short of spectacular, as she triumphed in the Grand Circuit stakes at the renowned Red Mile, achieving a lifetime-best time of 1:48.4 in the Glen Garnsey event. Further adding to her accomplishments, Niki Hill secured a victory in the Matron Stakes at Dover Downs during her sophomore season, in addition to a commendable second-place finish in the Breeders Crown and the TVG Mare Pace against seasoned mares.

Concluding her racing journey following a curtailed four-year-old season, Niki Hill retired with an impressive track record of 14 wins in 20 starts and amassed a total career earnings of $1,444,879. Throughout her illustrious career, she rarely faltered, finishing outside of the top two positions only on two occasions, all under the ownership of Tom Hill.