Silences are being held at racecourses and jockeys will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to the much-loved apprentice rider
Police have issued a statement about the tragic death of young apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes. The ‘huge talent’ of the weighing room died hours after his final ride at Nottingham Racecourse on Wednesday afternoon.
Dozens of tributes have been paid to Jakes, who had 59 winners to his name in just three seasons of competing on the Flat.
A minute’s silence was held at Chelmsford yesterday, where the 19-year-old had been due to take two mounts on horses trained by Ismail Mohammed.
In a statement, Suffolk Police said yesterday: “Police were called by the ambulance service at 5.45am this morning to reports of the sudden death of a man in Freckenham.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will now be prepared for the coroner.”
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Jockeys at racecourses have been wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to Jakes, who made 519 appearances on the track.
Top jockey Paul Mulrennan had ridden against the teenager on Wednesday when he partnered a horse named Guarantee to finish seventh in a juvenile maiden event over a mile.
“He was a lovely lad,” he told Sky Sports Racing. “I was drawn next to him yesterday at Nottingham, I had a bit of craic with him at the races. He looked happy, was always cheerful and polite.
“It’s very sad and I feel for his family and friends. There’s a very sombre mood in the weighing room tonight.”
At Chelmsford, Hector Crouch said: “It’s a tough evening for everyone. It’s more of a get the job done meeting rather than looking forwards to anything. Everyone is feeling it.”
Jakes was employed by Newmarket-based George Boughey and he had his last winner on one of the trainer’s horses, Fouroneohfever, at Catterick earlier this month.
“He was not only a hugely talented young rider with so much to look forward to, but an incredibly kind, popular and hard-working young man,” Boughey’s tribute said.
“We will miss him immensely.”
Linda Perratt, another big supporter of Jakes, said the news had devastated all of her team.
“TomTom, as we called him, rode regularly for us and won on 17 of our runners,” she wrote. “More importantly we were privileged to watch him grow from a shy, quiet boy to a confident, fun loving young man who was keen to join the kitchen breakfast table discussions and laughs.
“We loved having him stay over, in his Scottish home, and cheering him on wherever and whenever he was riding. The racing world lost a huge talent today. We lost a much loved friend.
“Jeremy, Tonie and the family lost a son and brother. All our thoughts, prayers and best wishes go to them at this most tragic of times.”
Jakes, who lived close to Newmarket, is being remembered by industry professionals and racegoers attending the town’s fixture this afternoon.
“The sense of shock and grief here at the racecourse and around the town is palpable,” said Racing TV presenter Lydia Hislop.
“Words are utterly inadequate this time so we will be paying our respects and remembering Tommy with a minute’s silence here when we can express with our thoughts and prayers for him, his family and friends.”