Alan Lillingston
1935 - 2014
1935 - 2014
The son of well-known amateur Luke, Alan was born in Leicester on February 27, 1935, and was taken to Ireland the same year.
The son of well-known amateur Luke, Alan was born in Leicester on February 27, 1935, and was taken to Ireland the same year.
Precocious, he rode his first winner, Cloudbank, at Tralee, on September 8, 1948. He was 13.
Precocious, he rode his first winner, Cloudbank, at Tralee, on September 8, 1948. He was 13.
He won the 1963 Champion Hurdle on Winning Fair and the 1957 National Hunt Chase on Kari Sou.
He won the 1963 Champion Hurdle on Winning Fair and the 1957 National Hunt Chase on Kari Sou.
A champion amateur in Ireland, he retired after breaking his neck in a fall at Tramore in 1964. He then switched successfully to three-day eventing.
A champion amateur in Ireland, he retired after breaking his neck in a fall at Tramore in 1964. He then switched successfully to three-day eventing.
He is only one of three amateurs to have won the Champion Hurdle.
He is only one of three amateurs to have won the Champion Hurdle.
Alan died of a heart attack in a Cork hospital on July 26, 2014. He was 79.
Alan died of a heart attack in a Cork hospital on July 26, 2014. He was 79.