Barry Hills intends to continue training a small band of horses for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and one of the sport's most respected figures could soon be back in the big-race spotlight with his Newbury winner Nafaqa.

The 77-year-old officially retired in 2011 after a career full of Classic and Group One successes but had been overseeing Sheikh Hamdan's private Kingwood House Stables with his trainer son John, who died in June.

Barry Hills has been operating on a temporary licence and was pleased to see Nafaqa break his maiden at his second start on Friday.

After a lifetime in racing, from jockey to trainer, Hills is never likely to find another hobby, and he knows a good horse when he sees one.

"It's a learning curve and I think he'll be better when he has something to aim at," Hills said.

"We've had him in the stalls a couple of times since Ascot. We'll talk to Sheikh Hamdan but the Solario Stakes at Sandown is a possibility, or York (Acomb Stakes).

"He's a slow-learner, and won't have more than a couple more runs. He should get a mile and a quarter (2000m).

Hills said the closing down of his son's stable would begin next month but he would continue to train at least a couple of dozen privately for Maktoum at Kingwood House, helped by former jockey Simon Whitworth.

"I do enjoy it," he said. "I can keep going as long as I want, and eventually there'd be room for a replacement.

"I think it will do (other son and trainer) Charlie good, too. I've been making a nuisance of myself with him. I wouldn't be easy to have around.

"At the moment there are 26, and there are two or three nice ones still to run."