Teenage son of leading trainer dies in tragic riding accident
THE world of horse racing has been plunged into mourning after the son of one of the country’s best-known horse trainers died in a tragic accident at a pony festival.
Gardaí last night confirmed the boy suffered critical injuries in an accident at the Glenbeigh Racing Festival at Rossbeigh Beach in Co. Kerry.
Tributes were paid last night to the victim, who was named locally as Jack de Bromhead, a talented young jockey and the son of renowned trainer Henry de Bromhead.
The racing festival programme – which was due to continue today – was cancelled immediately after the accident.
A spokesman for the festival committee told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘Many of the members of the Glenbeigh Race Committee are parents
themselves and they are devastated at the tragic events and our heartfelt thoughts go out to the De Bromhead family and their friends.’
An air ambulance and a HSE ambulance rushed to the scene. Gardaí and other emergency services also attended the scene to provide assistance.
Emergency medical attention was provided to the stricken jockey.
But despite desperate efforts to stabilise the teenager, he was later pronounced dead.
Members of the boy’s family are believed to have been at the course when the freak accident occurred.
Distressing scenes were reported as news of the tragedy became known. It is understood that up to 5,000 people attended yesterday’s event, in spite of the bad weather.
The two-day festival had attracted some of Ireland’s leading pony competitors, including the country’s top teenage jockeys.
A Garda spokesperson told the MoS: ‘Gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of an incident at Rossbeigh Beach in Co. Kerry earlier this evening at approximately 5.20pm.
‘A male in his teens received treatment at the scene following the incident but was later pronounced deceased.
‘His body has since been removed to the morgue at University Hospital Kerry.’
The local coroner has been notified about the young jockey’s death.
Henry de Bromhead is one of the most successful trainers on the National Hunt circuit.
Last year the trainer dominated the Cheltenham Festival and won the Aintree Grand National.
He became the first trainer ever to saddle winners of the Champion Hurdle (Honeysuckle), Champion Chase (Put The Kettle On) and Gold Cup (Minella Indo) in the same year.
Rachael Blackmore, his star jockey, has been integral to all the recent success as well.
The 33-year-old became the first woman to win the Champion Hurdle and Grand National in 2021 and followed up those brilliant displays this year, becoming the first woman to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup with A Plus Tard.
Henry de Bromhead followed in the footsteps of his father Harry, after spurning a career in accountancy and taking over the family stables in Knockeen, Co. Waterford, in 2000.
valerie.hanley@mailonsunday.ie
‘Our heartfelt thoughts go to the De Bromhead family’