Tributes are being paid to the young son of a celebrated Waterford horse trainer after a tragic accident yesterday.
13-year-old Jack - son of Henry de Bromhead - passed away in Kerry.
Devastating news. RIP Jack de Bromhead pic.twitter.com/Yovr6rdj4l
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 4, 2022
The accident occurred during the Glenbeigh Racing Festival at about 5.20pm yesterday evening.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, the youngster passed away a short time later.
Condolences have been expressed by people all over the world and from all sporting disciplines for young Jack, who had ridden a winner himself at the Cahersiveen Races just days earlier.
Thoughts and prayers with the de Bromhead family. A 13 year old boy taken doing what he loved.The poor family. The heart hurts .
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) September 4, 2022
A spokesperson for the committee in Cahersiveen told The Kerryman that they’ve extended their deepest condolences to Jack’s family, friends, and the racing community.
They added it’s a terrible, terrible tragedy when someone so young can lose their life doing something that’s bred into them.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Dingle Race Committee told the paper that the tragedy has shocked the entire pony-racing circuit.
All further activities at the Glenbeigh Racing Festival have been cancelled because of the tragedy.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family," said David O'Sullivan, a member of the Glenbeigh Racing Committee to Radio Kerry.
“The Racing Committee is a very tight-knit committee as well, as a group of people who are always together at every race and, I suppose, everyone felt it yesterday.
“As a community we’re all in mourning today – we’re in shock and we’re also in mourning.
“We just have to send our condolences to the family and in any way that we can help, we’re here to do so… Look, we can’t do enough, we can’t say enough.
“We’re numb. As a community, we’re numb.”
Horse Racing Ireland have also issued a statement to WLR News this afternoon.
CEO, Suzanne Eade said, “Like everybody in the horse racing and pony racing community, I want to offer my deepest condolences to his parents Henry and Heather, his sisters Mia and Georgia and extended family, on the tragic loss of their beloved Jack."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 who lives he touched are in our thoughts today during this numbing, devastating tragedy."Horse Racing Ireland’s equuip department through the Industry Assistance Programme will assist in offering counselling for Jack’s pony racing colleagues and friends."
Jack is being remembered today as a beautiful and talented child who leaves behind his heartbroken parents and sisters.
There are no words. What a devastating tragedy. RIP Jack De Bromhead. 😔 pic.twitter.com/GCg3y2oCS5
— Kevin Blake (@kevinblake2011) September 4, 2022
