Who was Jack de Bromhead? Tragic son of trainer Henry who died aged 13 with Cheltenham Festival race in his honour

THE racing world unites in memory of tragic Jack de Bromhead on Thursday.

A race run at the Cheltenham Festival has been named in his honour and is worth £59,084 to the winner – but really it is all about coming together and remembering Jack.

Jack de Bromhead will be paid tribute to at Cheltenham

The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle will now be named after the young rider – the son of trainer Henry – who passed away last year aged 13 after a pony racing incident.

Grand National-winning trainer De Bromhead, 49, and wife Heather paid tribute to their son in a statement released in the days after his death.

It 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.”

Who was Jack de Bromhead?

Jack de Bromhead was a young jockey who died in a pony racing accident aged 13.

Jack fell from his mount while racing at the Glenbeigh Racing Festival at Rossbeigh beach in County Kerry, Ireland in September 2022.

The event is a massive event for young jockeys with aspirations of becoming professional and racing, one day, at Cheltenham.

Everyone in racing came out to show support for Grand National-winning trainer Henry and his family after the terrible incident.

Trainer Jonjo O’Neill said on Twitter: “Absolutely tragic news about Jack de Bromhead. My heart breaks for his family.

“There are simply no words. Sending all our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.”

PAHenry de Bromhead has got the race named in his son’s honour[/caption]

While Kerry county councillor Michael Cahill, whose family attended the Glenbeigh Racing Festival, said it was a ‘horrific tragedy’ and the area’s community was in a ‘state of shock’.

He said: “The festival has been going for 100 years and this is the first time this has happened.

“I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his parents and siblings.”

Rachael Blackmore was among the hundreds of mourners who attended young Jack’s funeral.

The funeral was held near Waterford city in his native Ireland, where Blackmore was joined by the likes of fellow Cheltenham Festival legend Barry Geraghty plus former top jockey Robbie Power.

De Bromhead has shown amazing courage to speak so eloquently in the months since of the devastating impact Jack’s passing had on him and his family.

In one particularly moving interview he was praised for ‘showing dignity in the face of heartbreak’.

De Bromhead will aim five horses at the race named in honour of his son.

Magical Zoe is around 15-2 and looks his best chance.

He will also run Foxy Girl – ridden by Rachael Blackmore – as well as Ladybank, Belle The Lioness and 250-1 outsider Still Ciel.