The horse racing community is in mourning following the tragic passing of apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes at the young age of 19.
A joint statement from the Injured Jockeys’ Fund and Professional Jockeys Association confirmed the sad news, expressing deep sorrow over the death of Tommie Jakes, a licensed apprentice jockey who passed away at his home near Newmarket.
Tommie, who was a cherished son and brother, was a well-liked member of George Boughey’s racing team. His parents Jeremy and Tonie have requested privacy during this difficult time.
Having recently ridden at Nottingham, Tommie Jakes was scheduled to ride two horses at Chelmsford under trainer Ismail Mohammed. With 59 wins to his name since 2023 from 519 races, Jakes was considered one of the most promising young talents in the jockey community.
His first victory as an apprentice came while riding Suzi’s Connoisseur at Lingfield under trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam in March of the same year. Following in his father’s footsteps, who also had a background in racing, Jakes started his career after working for renowned trainer Michael Dickinson, known for his success at the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Jakes had a notable victory riding Fouroneohfever at Catterick, which sadly turned out to be his final win. He also had successful partnerships with trainers Linda Perratt and Alice Haynes during his career.
The British Horseracing Authority expressed deep sadness over Tommie’s passing, highlighting his talent and the respect he had earned from trainers for his skills and attitude. The racing community is devastated by the loss and will be showing marks of respect at upcoming races.
A social media post from George Boughey’s team expressed their heartbreak over the loss of Tommie Jakes, describing him as an integral and beloved member of their team, recognizing his talent, kindness, and hard work.
Support is being offered through various helplines for those affected by the news, including the jockey’s helpline, Racing Welfare, and Samaritans.