The parents of 13-year-old Jack de Bromhead, who died following a horse racing accident, have paid tribute to their “extraordinary and beautiful” son.
In an online post, leading horse trainer Henry de Bromhead and his wife, Heather, described Jack as a “perfect, funny, loving son”.
His death has caused widespread shock among the Irish racing community. The teenager died at the Glenbeigh races on Rossbeigh beach in Co Kerry on Saturday.
The incident at around 5pm occurred during the 2.5km race as the horses made their turn into the tide at the southern marker. Witnesses say the horse stumbled and threw the young rider into the tide. There was a large attendance including, it is understood, grandparents of the young man. The racing event was immediately cancelled following the incident.
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“On September 3rd we said goodbye to our extraordinary, beautiful 13-year-old son, Jack,” his parents said.
“A one-of-a-kind child who touched all our lives in the best way possible – he will be forever present in our lives.
“Always cherished, always loved, frozen in time with a beautiful young soul.
“He was an amazing son who told us he loved us every day – an over-brimming heart of loyalty, empathy, patience, pluck, courage and how he made us laugh.
“Not only the perfect, funny, loving son but also an incredible, loving brother to our beautiful daughters, his twin sister Mia and his little sister, Georgia.
“He always had their back and was fiercely loyal and kind. Our hearts are truly broken.
“He made so many friends wherever he went and they felt his special, unique and loyal touch on their lives too. We ask that they please celebrate and love him as we know he would have wished.
“Jack has lived so many more years than the 13 – he filled every moment of his days, always busy, forever curious, grasping at life and new interests.
“The passion he had for his family and friends extended to all his hobbies and interests – too many to fit into 13 years and certainly too busy to spend more than a minute more than he had to in the classroom.
“It started with his work on the farm, the tractor, the cattle, the ponies and horses. He was a passionate expert on them all by the time he was 10.
“By 11 he was offering expert advice and consultation to his father on training horses as he developed his father’s passion for all aspects of racing.”
His parents said he recently started a new school where he made new friends. “Jack’s friendships were of the deep and loyal kind and treasured by him,” they added.
“Jack, you will be with us always at home in your family and friends’ hearts. Always present, always cherished with so many memories from your packed, extraordinary life.
“Deeply loved and missed by your parents, Henry and Heather, your sisters Mia and Georgia, your grandparents Andrew, Marian, Harry and Sally, your aunts and uncles, extended family and friends.”
In a statement, gardaí said emergency services were called to the scene at Rossbeigh beach on Saturday at about 5.20pm. Jack received treatment at the scene but was later pronounced dead. His body was removed to the morgue at Kerry University Hospital.
His funeral will take place on Wednesday at noon in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Butlerstown, Co Waterford followed by private cremation.
Henry De Bromhead (49), based in Knockeen, Co Waterford, has enjoyed huge success in recent years, including winning both the Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. His association with top jockey Rachael Blackmore also produced success in last year’s Aintree Grand National with Minella Times.
Jack De Bromhead had ridden out thoroughbreds at his family’s yard and had recently become involved in pony racing, riding a winner at a meeting in Cahersiveen last week.
[ Chance has rarely looked more cruel than in tragic death of Jack de BromheadOpens in new window ]
Suzanne Eade, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said she wanted to offer her deepest condolences. “Jack may have been only 13 but he was already incredibly popular in the racing community. His family and friends, his pony racing colleagues and all those whose lives he touched are in our thoughts today during this numbing, devastating tragedy.
“Horse Racing Ireland’s Equuip [education and training] department through the Industry Assistance Programme will assist in offering counselling for Jack’s pony racing colleagues and friends.”
The boy had the makings of a fine jockey, and was “a real down-to-earth young fellow”, said Kerry race commentator Charlie Farrelly, who spoke to the teenager after he won a race only last Sunday.
Mr Farrelly, race commentator for Radio Kerry, had watched Jack win on the same horse, The Highest Level, in Cahersiveen races. He had spoken to Jack and his father. “He had such a future in front of him. Father and son were on top of the world last Sunday,” Mr Farrelly said.
Mr Farrelly witnessed the tragedy on the beach on Rossbeigh. While he described it as “a freak accident”, he said he had seen horses fall in similar circumstances. “It happens so many times. I have seen it happen often myself.”
Local councillor Michael Cahill said the community was in deep shock. The races are one of the great “flapper” events of the horse and pony season in Munster.
Rossbeigh’s event has been taking place for more than 100 years and written about by John Millington Synge.
Describing the loss of life as “horrific”, Mr Cahill said: “Never together in one place did I see so many tears being shed. The sun came out yesterday and you could not be in a more beautiful part of the world and yet this happened. People knew immediately this was extremely serious and were and remain deeply shocked.” Mr Cahill said he wished to express his sincere sympathy to the family on behalf of the people of Rossbeigh and Glenbeigh.
It is understood the young jockey was to ride in Sunday’s main race, the derby, and his father was to be present.
Flapper meetings are often where the most famous jockeys cut their teeth and there was a buzz around the south Kerry meetings this year because of the presence of the de Bromheads and at least one other major trainer whose son was also racing, according to locals.
Pony Racing tweeted: “We pass on our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jack de Bromhead who tragically died in Glenbeigh on Saturday.
“It’s impossible to put into words the sense of grief and loss that is being felt by everyone involved so please give them time to mourn. RIP Jack.”
Darragh O’Loughlin, chief executive of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), said: “The directors and staff of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board extend their deepest sympathies to the de Bromhead family on the tragic loss of Jack. May he rest in peace.”
The British Horseracing Authority tweeted: “The BHA sends its deepest condolences to the family of Henry de Bromhead following the tragic death of his son Jack.”
Fellow horse train Gordon Elliott also cancelled the open day at his yard on Sunday.
Former rugby star Ronan O’Gara was also among those expressing their shock. He tweeted: “Thoughts and prayers with the de Bromhead family. A 13-year-old boy taken doing what he loved. The poor family. The heart hurts.” – Additional reporting PA
