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Phil Greally
Phil Greally
Apprentice Phil Greally, originally from Newcastle, was a graduate of the Northern Racing College.
Apprentice Phil Greally, originally from Newcastle, was a graduate of the Northern Racing College.
In 1998 he joined Mick Easterby, who trained at New House Farm, Sheriff Hutton in North Yorkshire.
In 1998 he joined Mick Easterby, who trained at New House Farm, Sheriff Hutton in North Yorkshire.
On Saturday, 21 December, 2002, Phil spotted that a strap had come adrift on a New Zealand rug on one of the horses that Easterby had turned out in the paddock, and he went in to put it right.
On Saturday, 21 December, 2002, Phil spotted that a strap had come adrift on a New Zealand rug on one of the horses that Easterby had turned out in the paddock, and he went in to put it right.
The horse walked away from him: Phil followed then somehow stumbled. Another horse, cantering past, lashed out, striking Phil on the head.
The horse walked away from him: Phil followed then somehow stumbled. Another horse, cantering past, lashed out, striking Phil on the head.
He was taken straight to York & District Hospital and later transferred to Leeds Infirmary.
He was taken straight to York & District Hospital and later transferred to Leeds Infirmary.
His disabled mother, Sheila, kept a constant vigil throughout the five days he was in hospital, but he never recovered.
His disabled mother, Sheila, kept a constant vigil throughout the five days he was in hospital, but he never recovered.
Phil died on Saturday morning, the 27th of December.
Phil died on Saturday morning, the 27th of December.
His father Colin said later: "We are devastated. He was such an outgoing lad and to lose someone for whom life had so much to offer is tragic. He loved his horses, he loved his football and was a great fan of Newcastle United."
His father Colin said later: "We are devastated. He was such an outgoing lad and to lose someone for whom life had so much to offer is tragic. He loved his horses, he loved his football and was a great fan of Newcastle United."
Jockey Dale Gibson, a regular rider of the Easterby horses, also paid tribute to Greally.
Jockey Dale Gibson, a regular rider of the Easterby horses, also paid tribute to Greally.
He said: "Phil was a good, hard-working lad in the yard, and when he had his few rides on the Flat, he was always well-mannered and very pleasant. It's a real tragedy, a very sad loss, and all our thoughts are with his parents and family."
He said: "Phil was a good, hard-working lad in the yard, and when he had his few rides on the Flat, he was always well-mannered and very pleasant. It's a real tragedy, a very sad loss, and all our thoughts are with his parents and family."
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