[1][2] In total, he rode 131 winners in his career, mainly for top Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell and was widely considered by pundits and fans alike as one of the leading young jockeys in the UK.
[5][6] His first major victory was in 2009 at the Grand National meeting at Aintree racecourse, when he won the John Smith's Handicap Hurdle on the Russell-trained 66-1 outsider Culcabock.
[9] Gillies was found dead in a swimming pool at the Corfu holiday apartments where he was staying with fellow jockeys Henry Brooke, Nathan Moscrop, Harry Haynes and Mark Ellwood.
[12] Gillies was educated at Knox Academy in Haddington and was also a graduate of the British Racing School.
[13] He was voted Britain's 'Best Looking Jockey' by female racegoers at Hexham racecourse's ladies day in 2011.