Gary Lyons
Gary Lyons first appeared on a racecard when riding Bonny Milan , a faller in an amateur riders chase at Cheltenham on 13 November 1977. His last was on Cherry Tart which finished second in a handicap hurdle at Southwell on 29 December 2001.
Gary Lyons first appeared on a racecard when riding Bonny Milan , a faller in an amateur riders chase at Cheltenham on 13 November 1977. His last was on Cherry Tart which finished second in a handicap hurdle at Southwell on 29 December 2001.
He was born on June 21, 1968, in Enville, Staffordshire, in one of the cottages owned by trainer Jack Bissell for whom Gary's father was a stable lad. With horses in his dad's blood and greyhounds in his mother's, it was somehow inevitable that young Gary would take to racing.
He was born on June 21, 1968, in Enville, Staffordshire, in one of the cottages owned by trainer Jack Bissell for whom Gary's father was a stable lad. With horses in his dad's blood and greyhounds in his mother's, it was somehow inevitable that young Gary would take to racing.
His parents always had ponies and Gary was soon competing at showing or show-jumping. His ambition - to be a flat jockey - was thwarted as his weight increased, so, at 16, he turned to riding point-to points.
His parents always had ponies and Gary was soon competing at showing or show-jumping. His ambition - to be a flat jockey - was thwarted as his weight increased, so, at 16, he turned to riding point-to points.
Aged 19, with some four years' experience between the flags behind him, he joined Reg Hollinshead, first as an amateur, then later as a conditional. He was to remain with Hollinshead throughout his racing career, turning down an offer to ride for David Nicholson in the process.
Aged 19, with some four years' experience between the flags behind him, he joined Reg Hollinshead, first as an amateur, then later as a conditional. He was to remain with Hollinshead throughout his racing career, turning down an offer to ride for David Nicholson in the process.
Looking back he said, 'If I had gone there, who knows what would have happened? It might have been my chance to join the big league of jockeys.'
Looking back he said, 'If I had gone there, who knows what would have happened? It might have been my chance to join the big league of jockeys.'
Gary was destined to be a spear-carrier and rode just 103 winners in a career that lasted two decades.
Gary was destined to be a spear-carrier and rode just 103 winners in a career that lasted two decades.
He then worked for the Press Association.
He then worked for the Press Association.
Gary received the special recognition award at the 1999 Lesters.
Gary received the special recognition award at the 1999 Lesters.
When, in July 2007, his brother-in-law jockey Tony Culhane received a twelve-month ban on a corruption charge, Gary Lyons was warned off for two years after admitting to passing on information.
When, in July 2007, his brother-in-law jockey Tony Culhane received a twelve-month ban on a corruption charge, Gary Lyons was warned off for two years after admitting to passing on information.