Stuart Shilston

The son of an Exeter farmer, Stuart Reginald William Shilston was born in Totnes, Devon, on November 13, 1958, and started out as an amateur with Fulke Walwyn.

His first winner was Mr Linnet at Towcester in November, 1976: his last winner was Slightly Gone at Towcester on December 9, 1989.

During his fifteen year career, he rode ten winners for the Queen Mother and won the 1982 Stayers Hurdle on Crimson Embers.

In 1986, riding Contradeal in the Ritz Club Chase at Cheltenham, he fell at the 14th fence. His horse crushed him, breaking a vertebrae in the base of his spine. Stuart also had a heart valve squashed. For four days he was on the critical list and is lucky to be alive.

Stuart rode a total of 131 winners.

photo courtesy John Griffiths

Stuart Shilston

Big winners:

1982: Stayers’ Hurdle – Crimson Embers

1983: Long Walk Hurdle – Crimson Embers

1984: Charisma Gold Cup – Everett

1985: Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase – Straight Accord

1985: Charisma Gold Cup – Everett

1986: Stayers’ Hurdle – Crimson Embers

1986: Charisma Gold Cup – Everett