THIS is the ‘heartbreaking’ moment a jockey fought tears when dedicating a win to the memory of his best friend Tommie Jakes.
Racing was rocked by the death of 19-year-old Jakes last week.
An up-and-coming rider ‘with the world at his feet’, he was found near his family home in Newmarket and police are not treating the death as suspicious.
Jakes’ best friend Mason Paetel rode a 14-1 winner at Wolverhampton on Tuesday night and bravely 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.”
Jakes died just hours after his final ride at Nottingham the previous afternoon.
Silences were observed at racecourses last week and jockeys wore black armbands in tribute to a hugely popular member of the weighing room.
A GoFundMe page – which you can donate to here – has been set up to help his grieving family and friends with immediate costs and build ‘something lasting’.
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An IJF/PJA joint-statement confirming Jakes’ death read: “It is with deep sadness that we report the death of licenced apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes, 19, who tragically died at home this morning near Newmarket.
“Tommie was a much-loved son and brother, and a popular member of George Boughey’s racing team.
“His parents Jeremy and Tonie ask that their privacy is respected at this terrible time.”
Trainer Linda Perratt, for whom Jakes won several races, posted a statement on X in which she remembered ‘TomTom’.
She wrote: “We are devastated by the passing of Tommie Jakes.
“TomTom, as we called him, rode regularly for us and won on 17 of our runners.
“More importantly we were privileged to watch him grow from a shy, quiet boy to a confident, fun-loving 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. We lost a much-loved friend.
“Jeremy, Tonie and the family lost a son and brother.
“All of our thoughts, prayers and best wishes go to them at this most tragic of times.”
A BHA statement issued on behalf of CEO Brant Dunshea said: “We are devastated to hear the news about Tommie.
“He was a talented young rider with the world at his feet, and had earned great praise from trainers for his horsemanship and attitude in just the last few months.
“His family and friends, colleagues at the George Boughey yard and everyone who worked with him in Newmarket will be grieving, and all of us in the racing community will share that pain.
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“The sport’s support services and the BHA will provide care and support to those close to Tommie, and welcome and encourage calls from anyone affected by this.”
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.
