Dean Gallagher

Son of trainer Thomas, Dean Thomas Gallagher was born on February 18, 1968, and was brought up in a family steeped in racing. 

Having learned the ropes with Dessie Hughes, he rode his first winner, Keynes, at Roscommon on August 27, 1984.

Aged 18, he came to England and worked for Rod Simpson.

He lost his licence over a drug problem but, regaining it, went to France in 2004.

Having ridden over 500 winners in Britain and a further 126 in France, he retired in 2009.

Drugs problem aside, he was an excellent jockey and, among many big race wins, was successful on Hors La Loi in the 2002 Champion Hurdle and Wilsford in the 1995 Scottish Grand National.

Dean Gallagher

Champion Hurdle winner: Hors La Loi (2002)

Other big winners:

1989: Long Walk Hurdle – Royal Athlete

1994: Timeform Hall of Fame Chase – Dubacilla 

1995: Scottish Grand National – Willsford 

1995: Hennessy Gold Cup – Couldn’t Be Better

1996: County Handicap Hurdle – Star rage 

1997: Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Star Rage 

1999: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Hors La Loi 

2001: Great Yorkshire Chase – Heidi III