The heartbroken family of one of the country’s most promising young jockeys were today being comforted at their Galway home following his tragic death in a fire in Yorkshire.
Jamie Kyne (18) from Kiltrogue, Claregalway died along with another apprentice jockey when fire ravaged the building they were staying in at Norton in Yorkshire.
A man in his 30s who was arrested over the incident has been freed on bail, according to north Yorkshire police.
Around 60 firefighters battled the blaze which broke out at a building known as the Tannery which was used as accommodation for apprentice jockeys in Norton, a small village about 15km from Doncaster.
Two other young jockeys, including Ian Brennan from Dublin, were injured in the incident.
The fire broke out in the small village around 2.15am yesterday morning.
A 19-year old apprentice jockey from Scotland, Jan Wilson, also died in the tragedy. She was from Forfar and was due to ride her mother’s horse at Thirsk yesterday.
Jamie Kyne was due to ride at Haydock yesterday. Jockeys at that meeting observed a moment of silence and wore black armbands in memory of the two young jockeys.
Neighbours and friends went to the family home at Kiltrogue, about 15km from Galway city, when news of the tragedy spread yesterday.
Jarlath McDonagh, a Fine Gael councillor who is a second cousin of the young jockey, said that the community was devastated by the tragedy.
“People are shocked and saddened. Jamie was a lovely young man who was heavily involved in sport before he went to England to pursue his career.
“His progress was being closely watched and he was destined to make it all the way to the top. We felt he was in with a great chance of being the apprentice jockey of the year. It is very difficult to come to terms with it all,” said Cllr. McCDonagh.
He said that Jamie’s parents Gerry and Madeline were devastated. Jamie is survived by four brothers, Francis and Jason who are older than him and younger brothers Brandon and Daniel and a younger sister Cassandra.
Jamie attended Cregmore national school and later Athenry Vocational School.
Like his brothers, he was a talented boxer and represented Monivea Boxing Club, while he also played hurling for Turloughmore.
His family have a long association with horses and Jamie moved to England around a year and a half ago and linked up with trainer John Quinn to pursue his career.
Jamie was enjoying a superb season and had ridden 29 winners this year, rising to third in the apprentice of the year stakes and seemed destined for a great career.
“He had a lovely personality and everyone was so proud of the progress he had made. It is hard to believe he will never fulfil that promise now,” added Cllr. McDonagh.
Meanwhile, race meetings around Ireland and Britain will observe a period of silence and raceday flags will be flown at half-mast.
Hundreds of people have also joined a Facebook group in tribute to the two jockeys.