Bruce Gibson
Jump jockey Bruce Gibson was born in Hawick in the Scottish Borders and got into racing via the pony racing route when aged 14. Having completed a course at the Northern Racing School he joined Dumfriesshire trainer Lenny Lungo and rode as an amateur. He achieved his biggest success when winning the 1999 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Celtic Giant.
Jump jockey Bruce Gibson was born in Hawick in the Scottish Borders and got into racing via the pony racing route when aged 14. Having completed a course at the Northern Racing School he joined Dumfriesshire trainer Lenny Lungo and rode as an amateur. He achieved his biggest success when winning the 1999 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Celtic Giant.
He turned professional the following season and rode Celtic Giant in the 2000 Grand National, completing the course last of the 17 finishers.
He turned professional the following season and rode Celtic Giant in the 2000 Grand National, completing the course last of the 17 finishers.
However, each year became harder and harder as he struggled with his weight. Having started off able to ride comfortably at 10st, he then went up to 10st 2lb, 10st 4lb and eventually he was turning up at the races sometimes weighing 11st. That led to him deciding to quit in 2006.
However, each year became harder and harder as he struggled with his weight. Having started off able to ride comfortably at 10st, he then went up to 10st 2lb, 10st 4lb and eventually he was turning up at the races sometimes weighing 11st. That led to him deciding to quit in 2006.
Lenny Lungo offered him a job as second head lad and Bruce stayed there for another season, but the stable wasn’t as powerful as it had once been. That left him at a loss, wondering what to do next. He chose to step away from racing and reinvented himself as a tree surgeon. Having completed all the necessary courses, he is now a self-employed tree surgeon, a very different way of life but an enjoyable one that keeps him working outside rather than indoors.
Lenny Lungo offered him a job as second head lad and Bruce stayed there for another season, but the stable wasn’t as powerful as it had once been. That left him at a loss, wondering what to do next. He chose to step away from racing and reinvented himself as a tree surgeon. Having completed all the necessary courses, he is now a self-employed tree surgeon, a very different way of life but an enjoyable one that keeps him working outside rather than indoors.