NH jockey Gillies dies in holiday accident

Cheltenham Festival-winning rider Campbell Gillies died yesterday in an accident on holiday in Kavos, Greece.

Gillies, who was due to turn 22 today, was just beginning to make a name for himself and had enjoyed his best ever season with 38 winners, the highlight undoubtedly being the ill-fated Brindisi Breeze’s success in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Gillies sprang to prominence due to his association with the classy Lie Forrit, trained by Willie Amos. He rode his first winner in the 2007-08 season and had 131 winners under his belt.