Tributes paid to one of a kind Zoe

The daughter of Sussex racehorse trainer Zoe Davison has led heartfetl tributes to her, saying: She went through life with a smile on her face.

Zoe, who was 60, passed away on Sunday about an hour after her yard had completed a double at Plumpton, one of her favourite courses.

Family and colleagues at Shovel strode stables in East Gr instead are devastated–yet lifted by the many messages that have flooded in from people in the world of racing.

Her daughter Gemelle, a former jockey who worked with her mum training horses, wrote: “Where do I start?! Firstly I would really like to say thank you to everyone for all your well wishes and support. I know mum would be overwhelmed by the messages.

“It is the hardest thing in the world saying goodbye to your mum, best friend and work partner. Mum you are truly an inspiration in so many ways, your strength fighting through this awful disease. Not once did you complain, not once did you feel sorry for yourself. You went through life with a smile on your face, the horses were and always will be all of you.

“I hope that people can appreciate what you achieved with the horses you had over the years. Most people would turn their heads away, but you being you would take them under your wing, to try and guide them to success.”

Zoe was an amateur rider and sent out more than 100 winners. Her most successful season was 2017-18, when she trained 15 winners from 60 runners.She trained 28 winners at Plumpton, 11 at Fontwell and nine at Lingfield, the three courses where she enjoyed most success.