THE funeral details of tragic jockey Tommie Jakes have been released.
Racing has been in a state of shock and mourning since the 19-year-old’s passing last month.
Jakes was found in his bedroom of the family home in Newmarket after riding the previous afternoon.
His heartbroken parents paid tribute to their ‘brilliant’ boy who had been ‘dancing around the kitchen’ just hours before.
Jakes’ funeral will be held at Newmarket’s St Mary’s Church on Friday, November 21.
The 11am service will be followed by a private cremation with donations to go to the Injured Jockeys’ Fund.
A GoFundMe page set up in honour of Jakes has raised more than £18,000.
The late jockey’s brave parents Jeremy and Tonie spoke of their devastation at his death, saying everything seemed well in his life.
Dad Jeremy told Suffolk News: “When he got home he was dancing in the kitchen and after his chicken dinner he told his mum it was the best chicken he had ever had.
“He was up in his room and I could hear him chatting on the phone with his friends until gone midnight.”
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Mum Tonie added: “He was brilliant. He had a lot of wonderful friends and nothing seemed to be worrying him.
“He was planning for the future, planning for rides, planning for parties, planning his life.”
A statement from Suffolk Police read: “Police were called by the ambulance service at 5.45am on Thursday 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.”
Jakes’ best friend Mason Paetel rode a 14-1 winner at Wolverhampton earlier this month and spoke to Sky Sports Racing after.
He was visibly emotional and his voice trembled as he dedicated his success to the memory of his mate.
Paetel, 17, said: “Tonight is a special night – I lost my friend Tommie the other day – my best friend.
“That was for Tommie.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123 or Racing Welfare on 0800 6300 443.
