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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Melissa Jones

Henry and Heather de Bromhead's heartbreaking tribute to son Jack as racing unites in grief

Henry de Bromhead and his wife Heather have paid tribute to their son Jack after the teenager died in a tragic accident.

The 13-year-old suffered fatal injuries in a fall at Glenbeigh pony races in Ireland last Saturday.

The racing world has united in grief and to offer support to the teenager's devastated parents. The couple, via RIP.ie, told how Jack had many friends and took a keen interest in his father Henry's successful business.

In March, he saddled consecutive winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, less than a year after taking his first Grand National.

The tribute from the De Bromheads read: "On September 3, we said goodbye to our extraordinary, beautiful 13-year-old-son, Jack. 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.

"He had 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 he was 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.

Jack suffered fatal injuries in the freak accident (@RTEracing/Twitter)

"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.

"He recently started at a new school and by day two had already made a huge number of new friends to add to all his closest friends from home. Jack's friendships were of the deep and loyal kind, and were treasured by him.

"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."

Pony Racing Ireland have suspended meetings for the rest of the season as a mark of respect to Jack.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead on the gallops during day two of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival (PA)

A spokesperson said: "Our priority now is to support everyone affected by this tragedy. Rest in peace Jack. Forever in our thoughts."

Jockey Aidan Coleman, who rode De Bromhead's 2021 Champion Chase heroine Put The Kettle On, offered his condolences to the family after competing at Fontwell yesterday.

"I'm sending my thoughts to Henry, Heather and the two girls," he said.

"There's more to life... This is great to win a race and we're all delighted and that but it's such a sad period.

"God only knows what they're going through. I'm just echoing what everybody else is saying. Our thoughts are really going out to that family now. Henry has given me some of the best days of my life on the racecourse and it feels a very meagre kind of thing to do... but I'm just sending my thoughts to him. It's such a tragedy. Everyone's thinking of him and we'll all be there for him."

Fellow trainer Gordon Elliott cancelled an open day at his yard in response to the tragedy, while the pony race riders at York’s Sunday fixture took part in a minute’s silence.

Jack's funeral mass will take place at 12pm on Wednesday.

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