The racing community will unite in grief today as Newmarket, Wetherby and Uttoxeter racecourses observe moments of silence for apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes, who passed away suddenly at his Freckenham home on Thursday morning.
The 19-year-old’s death has sent shockwaves through the sport, with riders wearing black armbands throughout today’s meetings as a mark of respect.
Jakes, who had competed at Nottingham just hours before his death on Wednesday afternoon, was discovered at approximately 5.45am when emergency services were called to the property near Newmarket.
The teenager was scheduled to partner two horses for trainer Ismail Mohammed at Chelmsford on Thursday evening.
During his brief but impressive career spanning just three seasons, Jakes secured 59 victories from 519 rides since beginning his professional journey in 2023.
The teenager formed a successful partnership with Classic-winning trainer George Boughey’s Newmarket stable, where he became an integral team member.
Tommie Jakes won an impressive 59 races out 519
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His maiden apprentice triumph came aboard Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Suzi’s Connoisseur at Lingfield in March 2023.
Most recently, he celebrated victory on 18 October riding Boughey’s Fouroneohfever at Catterick, which would prove to be his final winner.
Tributes have poured in for Tommie Jakes
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The young rider also developed strong working relationships with Scottish trainer Linda Perratt and Newmarket-based Alice Haynes throughout his career.
Boughey’s stable expressed their devastation, stating: “He was not only a hugely talented young rider with so much to look forward to, but an incredibly kind, popular and hard-working young man. We will miss him immensely.”
Scottish trainer Linda Perratt, who enjoyed 17 victories with the rider she affectionately called “TomTom”, remembered watching him mature from “a shy, quiet boy to a confident, fun-loving man”.
British Horseracing Authority’s acting chief executive Brant Dunshea described Jakes as “a talented young rider with the world at his feet”, noting the widespread grief throughout Newmarket’s racing community.
Fellow jockey Paul Mulrennan, who competed alongside Jakes on Wednesday, described the atmosphere in weighing rooms as “very sombre”, remembering him as “always cheerful and polite”.
Suffolk Police confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious, with a spokesperson stating that officers were alerted by ambulance crews at 5.45am on Thursday to reports of a sudden death in Freckenham.
In a statement, Suffolk Police said yesterday: “Police were called by the ambulance service at 5.45am this morning to reports of the sudden death of a man in Freckenham.
Police are not treating Tommie Jakes’ death as suspicious
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“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will now be prepared for the coroner.”
A file will be prepared for the coroner’s investigation.
Racing’s support services have mobilised to assist those affected, with helplines available through the Injured Jockeys’ Fund (07780 008877), Racing Welfare (0800 6300443) and Samaritans (116 123).
Thursday evening saw immediate tributes at Chelmsford and Southwell racecourses, where minute’s silences were observed before racing commenced.
Jakes came from a racing family, following his father Jeremy into the sport.