‘Jack was one of a kind ..He has touched all our lives in the best way’
■ DE BROMHEADS PAY TRIBUTE TO ‘PERFECT’ BOY
THE parents of 13-year-old Jack de Bromhead who died following a horse-racing accident have paid tribute to their “extraordinary and beautiful” son.
In an online post, leading horse trainer Henry de Bromhead and his wife Heather described Jack as a “perfect, funny, loving son”. The boy died after an incident during a race at Rossbeigh Beach on the first day of the Glenbeigh pony festival.
The incident at around 5pm came during the 2.5km race as the horses made their turn into the tide at the southern marker. Witnesses say the horse stumbled and threw the young rider into the tide.
Jack received treatment at the scene but was later pronounced dead. “On September
3 we said goodbye to our extraordinary, beautiful 13-year-old son, Jack,” his parents said. “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 – an over-brimming heart of loyalty, empathy, patience, pluck, courage and how he made us laugh.”
Jack’s parents added that he was not only the perfect, funny, loving son but also an incredible, loving brother to twin sister Mia and little sister Georgia.
“He always had their back and was fiercely loyal and kind. Our hearts are truly broken,” they added.
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“The passion he had for his family and friends extended to all his hobbies and interests – too many to fit into 13 years and certainly too busy to spend more than a minute more than he had to in the classroom.
“It started with his work on the farm, the tractor, the cattle, the ponies and horses. He was a passionate expert on them all by the time he was 10.
“By 11 he was offering expert advice and consultation to his father on training horses as he developed his father’s passion for all aspects of racing.”
His parents said he recently started a new school where he made new
friends. “Jack’s friendships were of the deep and loyal kind and treasured by him,” they said.
“Jack, you will be with us always at home in your family and friends’ hearts.
“Always present, always cherished with so many memories from your packed, extraordinary life.”
The event was cancelled following the horrific accident, while the child’s remains were taken to University Hospital Kerry for a post-mortem.
The place on Rossbeigh beach where Jack died has since been covered in teddies, flowers and messages of condolences for Jack’s devastated family.
A member of Glenbeigh Races committee said the community is numb.
David O’Sullivan offered his sympathies and said: “The horse-racing community is a very tight knit community.
“A group of people who are always together at every race. As a community we are all in shock and we are also in mourning.”
Suzanne Eade, CEO Horse Racing Ireland, said: “Like everybody in the horse racing and pony racing community, I want to offer my deepest condolences to his parents Henry and Heather, his sisters Mia and Georgia and extended family, on the tragic loss of their beloved Jack.
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“Jack may have been only 13 but he was already incredibly popular in the racing community.
“His family and friends, his pony racing colleagues and all those who lives he touched are in our thoughts during this numbing, devastating tragedy.”
Horse Racing Ireland said it will assist in offering counselling for Jack’s pony racing colleagues and friends.
Local councillor Michael Cahill, who lives in Glenbeigh, attended the event where the young teenager died.
He said: “There is a dark cloud over the entire community. It is hard to comprehend that such a tragedy happened here, it was one of the most beautiful parts of the world.
“It is so so sad, and everybody is in a state of shock.”.
Meanwhile, social media was flooded with condolences to Jack’s family.
Pony Racing tweeted: “It’s impossible to put into words the sense of grief and loss that is being felt by everyone involved so please give them time to mourn. RIP Jack.”
Horse Racing pundit Kevin Blake posted a short video of Jack being interviewed on RTE captioned with: “There are no words. What a devastating tragedy.”
Fellow horse trainer Gordon Elliott cancelled an open day at his yard yesterday out of respect to the family.
Former rugby star Ronan O’Gara also tweeted: “Thoughts and prayers with the de Bromhead family.
“A 13-year-old boy taken doing what he loved. The poor family. The heart hurts.”
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TD Mary Butler posted on Twitter: “The most devastating, heartbreaking, saddest news. Thoughts and prayers to the de Bromhead family, friends and community.”
And Labour leader Ivana Bacik wrote: “Such tragic news. Thoughts and sympathies with the family, friends and community on the death of Jack de Bromhead.”