Family record set for boost
David McCarthy
When Yorksmith steps out for the Haast Steeplechase today, he should add to an impressive Riccarton record built up over many years by the Gillies family.
Yorksmith is trained at /Xwapuni by Steven Gillies, who will ride him today. The horse came down in the care of Steven’s father, Jim, who is no stranger to success at Riccarton. Jim Gillies trained and rode Duke Royal to win the Grand National Steeplechase of 1953. Duke Royal beat Mandeville, ridden by Henry Skinner, who will be attempting to add further to the laurels he has subsquently earned in harness racing, behind Honkin Vision in the Benson and Hedges Championship at Alexandra Park tonight. Duke Royal was at odds of 24/1, as Mandeville had been when Skinner won the Homeby with him the previous week. The Homeby is the main aim for Yorksmith, an accomplished jumper which should be too polished for his rivals today.
Steven Gillies is the youngest of three sons of Jim Gillies who have made their mark in racing. He was formerly an amateur rider but now trains a small team and is a blacksmith by profession. His eldest brother, Michael, has many fond memories of Riccarton
country, having won three Grand Nati'onaT Steeplechases (Thun, Chumson and Guess Who) and two Homebys (on Thun).
Another brother, Tony, partnered Guess Who to victory in the 1980 Homeby.
Tony Gillies has made an impact as a trainer in Matamata in recent seasons and received a big boost when he trained Steely Dan to win the 1987 Two Thousand Guineas at Riccarton.
Gillies has won other big races on both sides of the Tasman with Steely Dan and is experiencing success as a trainer and rider with the Palatable gelding Palezza over hurdles.
Steven Gillies has yet to win a race at Riccarton, but a strong tradition is certainly in his favour today.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19890624.2.132.1
Bibliographic details
Press, 24 June 1989, Page 35
Word Count
318Family record set for boost Press, 24 June 1989, Page 35
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
Log in