Brian Giles, Daily Mail racing editor once tied up by Harvey Smith, dies aged 81

Brian Giles, the former racing editor of the Daily Mail, has died aged 81.

Giles began his career in racing at the Fairlawne stables of trainer Peter Cazalet, who saddled Devon Loch and Manicou for the Queen Mother. Giles rode as a jockey for the stable as well as working in the yard.

He joined the Daily Mail in 1966 and became a member of the racing team as well as the paper's equestrian correspondent during the heyday of the sport, when riders such as Harvey Smith and David Broome were household names.

Smith recalled: "Brian was great fun and did a lot to promote showjumping and later horseracing. We had great times together but we had our moments. One day at Hickstead he'd said or written something I disagreed with so I tied him to one of the arena rails with his own tie. Someone had to cut his tie off to set him free."

Giles struck up strong working relationships with the Princess Royal and her fellow Olympian husband Captain Mark Phillips, and also reported from Munich during the 1972 Olympic Games on the killing of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches by the Palestinian group Black September.

He became Daily Mail racing editor in 1987 and took over the role as chief tipster Robin Goodfellow in 2002, going on to win the Racing Post naps title. In all, he worked for the Mail for 42 years.

Remembered as a 'blond bomber' in the Terry Biddlecombe style when in stables, Giles is recalled by newspaper colleagues as a generous, fun-loving spirit who was hugely encouraging to younger journalists.

Brian Giles (holding champagne bottle) celebrates a winning day with Daily Mail colleagues Nick Townsend, Nigel Taylor and Max Moorcroft

Nick Smith, now director of racing and communications at Ascot, said: "Brian was a great inspiration in my early career as an aspiring racing journalist. He was always great fun to be around, had an eye for a new angle and a ferocious appetite for a good bet – I've never seen anyone win on doubles and trebles with such regularity.

"Learning how the media works under his tutelage has stood me in great stead throughout my time at Ascot and I'll always have fond memories of my four years at the Mail."

Colin Mackenzie, the Daily Mail's former racing correspondent, said: "Brian was a fine racing editor and very well respected in the sport."

Marcus Townend, whose early years at the Daily Mail came under Giles's stewardship and who succeeded him as racing editor, said: "Brian was passionate about racing and the Daily Mail, and he brought that enthusiasm to his work every day.

"His frustration with the sport’s weak leadership led to some critical pieces of the Jockey Club and BHB [now BHA] and there were a few flashpoints, but they were a result of Brian’s desire for the sport to succeed.

"Having started off working for royal trainer Peter Cazalet, Brian had an innate feel for a racehorse. That came out in his reading of form and in his tipping ability, notably when winning the Racing Post naps table.

"Brian rose through the ranks at the Daily Mail. I think that was why he was always prepared to give someone a chance. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity that he gave to me."

Giles, who died on Thursday, his 81st birthday, is survived by wife Shirley and daughters Sarah and Philippa.