Scots jockey dies in pool accident in Greece day before his 22nd birthday

A Cheltenham Festival-winning Scots jockey has died in a swimming pool accident while on holiday in Greece.

Campbell Gillies, 21, was killed in Kavos on Corfu earlier on Tuesday. He was due to celebrate his 22nd birthday on Wednesday.

The young rider partnered Brindisi Breeze to victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last March.

Born in Haddington in East Lothian, Campbell attended the British Racing School and was associated with the Willie Amos-trained Lie Forrit. He primarily rode for handler Lucinda Russell, based in Kinross-shire, after joining her team in 2007.

His brother Finlay plays rugby for Glasgow Warriors, and the club said in a statement: "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."

His staff profile on Ms Russell's website said: "Campbell Gillies joined us in the autumn of 2007 and quickly established himself as one of the country's leading conditionals." It described him as "a talented work rider and schooling jockey".

The website also includes a quotation from Gillies: "It does not matter what you are going to do, always strive to be the best. That is what this yard is all about."

Gillies rode his first winner in the 2007-08 season and had 131 winners under his belt.

Last year was his best campaign to date, with 38 winners, and he was in action as recently as last Sunday at Hexham.

Tributes

Tributes to the young jockey have been posted on Twitter.

Former jockey and Racing UK presenter Niall Hannity wrote: "Devastating news coming through that Campbell Gillies has lost his life in a accident whilst on holiday, thoughts with his family. RIP."

Gold Cup-winning jockey Paddy Brennan said: "The worst news you cud possibly hear. Campbell you will be sadly missed by us all. Great jockey & even better bloke #RIP."

Champion jockey Tony McCoy said: "Very sad news about Campbell Gillies a very good jockey but an even better bloke. All our thoughts are with his family RIP."

Grand National-winning jockey Barry Geraghty said: "Very sad news about Campbell Gillies, a very good rider & a lovely fella. He will be sadly missed. All our thoughts are with his family RIP."

Gillies's uncle, Rory McNeill, also paid tribute to the jockey on behalf of the family.

He said: "The whole family is devastated and trying to come to terms with our loss. Campbell was dearly loved by one and all, and this is shown by the tributes to Campbell. We hope that at this time we can be given the space and time to grieve."

Racehorse trainer Lucinda Russell said the young rider died in a swimming pool accident. In a statement on her website, she said: "We learnt this morning that Campbell died as the result of a swimming accident while in Kavos, Greece.

"Campbell was on a short holiday with one of our head lads, Mark Ellwood, and jockeys Nathan Moscrop, Henry Brooke, and Harry Haynes.

"This dreadful news has hit the whole yard. He was a much loved, popular and respected member of Arlary (House Stables), and it is so hard to lose part of our 'family'. Our hearts go out to his mother Lesley, brother and sister Finlay and Rita.

"We are immensely proud of the achievements of Campbell. It was through his innate ability and talent that he reached great heights as a jockey at such an early age. More than that he had a wonderful charm that I believe came across to everyone who met him, and through his media interviews.

"His victory at Cheltenham on Brindisi Breeze was the pinnacle of his career; the race epitomised him as a jockey; his belief and confidence and his innate timing. He became one with the horse. This empathy and love of his horses was one of the reasons that he was a truly great jockey."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Corfu on June 26. We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."

His winning horse Brindisi Breeze died in a freak accident in May when he jumped from his paddock at Arlary House Stables near Milnathort, Kinross, and was hit by a tanker. The horse died instantly.

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