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Tuesday 26 June 2012

Racing in mourning as Cheltenham winner Gillies, 21, dies during Kavos Corfu holiday in 'swimming pool incident'

Horror: Gillies lost his life while on holiday with fellow jockeys in GreeceCampbell Gillies has lost his life on holiday in Kavos,Corfu  Greece, just months after securing the biggest win of his racing career at the Cheltenham Festival.  
He rode Brindisi Breeze in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March but tragically died in 'swimming pool incident'.
He arrived on holiday on Monday with fellow jockeys Henry Brooke, Nathan Moscrop and Harry Haynes and was due to celebrate his 22nd birthday on Wednesday. 
Horror: Gillies lost his life while on holiday with fellow jockeys in Greece
His Cheltenham winner Brindisi Breeze was also killed last month after he jumped out of a paddock and was hit by a lorry on a nearby road.
His friend and fellow jockey Alexander Voy took to Twitter to pass on his condolences after learning the news.

He said: 'I can't believe it. You only have one best friend and now he's gone. I'll never forget you @campbellgillies, love you pal xxx.'
Gillies, who was also associated with the Willie Amos-trained Lie Forrit, primarily rode for Perth handler Lucinda Russell after joining her team in 2007.
Gillies' agent Paul Brierley said: 'At the present time, all I can say is there has been an accident.'
And BBC racing presenter Clare Balding tweeted her sorrow after hearing of the jockey's death.
She said: 'So sad to hear that jump jockey Campbell Gillies has died in an accident on holiday. He was a lovely guy & a fine, brave jockey.'
Tragedy: Gillies savoured victory at Cheltenham this year
Tragedy: Gillies savoured victory at Cheltenham this year
Gillies - whose brother Finlay plays rugby for Glasgow Warriors - won 131 races in Britain and enjoyed his best ever campaign in 2011-12 with 38 winners, and had ridden four winners so far this season.
A club statement from Warriors said: 'Glasgow Warriors are deeply saddened to learn of the sad passing of Campbell Gillies, brother of Warriors hooker Finlay.
'A promising young jockey, Campbell shot to prominence when he rode Brindisi Breeze to victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle on Gold Cup day at this year's Cheltenham Festival.
'The thoughts of everyone at Glasgow Warriors are with Finlay and his family at this terrible time.'
Champion jockey Tony McCoy said on Twitter: 'Very sad news about Campbell Gillies. A very good jockey but an even better bloke. All our thoughts are with his family RIP.'
Gold Cup winner Sam Thomas was also on Twitter. saying: 'Saddening news about Campbell Gillies, a great pilot, a top guy and most of all a true gentleman. My thoughts go out to all his family.'

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