Campbell Gillies’ untimely death causes grief and sadness in the world of horse-racing
The phrase ‘only the good die young’ seems to fit the untimely death of rider, Campbell Gillies, who lost his life during a swimming accident in Greece, while on vacation.
The death of the 21-year-old jockey has left everyone devastated, and it seems that the rider was bound to become more successful.
The highlight of the rider’s career was when he led Lucinda Russell’s charge, Brindisi Breeze, to victory in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle Race) in the Cheltenham Festival on 16th March, 2012,
over the W. P. Mullins trained, Boston Bob.
Through her website, the trainer stated:
"We learnt this morning that Campbell died as the result of a swimming accident while in Kavos, Greece.”
Appreciating the young rider’s talent and expressing the grief at his death, she further added:
"He was a much loved, popular and respected member at Arlary, and it is so hard to lose part of our 'family'. We are immensely proud of the achievements of Campbell.”
Campbell Gillies guided the six-year-old, Brindisi Breeze, to four of his five victories, and it may be ironic, but the horse suffered a similar fate when he died in a freak accident in May, 2012, after securing the glorious victory at Cheltenham.
The gelding lost his life in an accident, and his death was confirmed by Lucinda Russell, who stated that:
"Brindisi Breeze was tragically killed last night. At 2.30am he jumped out of his paddock and was hit by a tanker, he died instantly."
The young jockey’s death has sent shock-waves in the world of horse-racing, and many people including Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond champion jockey Tony McCoy paid tribute to the young rider.
Peter Scudamore, assistant of the trainer, remembers the jockey in the highest esteem, and stated that the victory on Brindisi Breeze was the possibly the best moment of his career, when he truly shone as a jockey.
Scudamore further added that, Campbell Gillies, excelled at what he did because of his love of horses, which was one of the reasons why he was “a truly great jockey.”
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