The British horse racing community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes, who has tragically died at just 19 years old.
Tommie Jakes oBITUARY nEWS
The news was confirmed in a joint statement by the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) and the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), who described Jakes as a “much-loved son and brother, and a popular member of George Boughey’s racing team.”
His sudden passing has left a profound void in the sport, especially among those who knew him as a talented, hardworking, and kind young man with a bright future ahead. Over the past three years, Tommie Jakes had made a name for himself as one of the most promising young riders in British flat racing.
He notched up an impressive 59 career wins, including 19 victories in 2025 alone. His most recent triumph came aboard George Boughey’s Fouroneohfever at Catterick on October 18.
Only days before his passing, Jakes was actively riding—competing at Nottingham on Wednesday and scheduled for two more mounts at Chelmsford on Thursday evening. His sudden death, which occurred at his home near Newmarket, has come as a devastating shock to the entire racing community.
Trainer Brian Meehan, who worked closely with Jakes, spoke emotionally from California, where he is preparing for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Meehan recalled, “He was a regular at the yard and would ride work for me a couple of times each week. He was in last Thursday, he was a lovely lad.
He had great promise and gave Gascony in the Sangster colours an outstanding ride to win a nursery at Epsom.” Meehan’s words reflect the affection and respect Jakes had earned from seasoned trainers and peers alike.
His professionalism, composure, and instinctive riding skills were widely admired, marking him as one of the sport’s rising stars. In their joint statement, the IJF and PJA extended condolences to Tommie’s family, saying:
“It is with deep sadness that we report the death of licensed apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes, 19, who tragically died at home this morning near Newmarket. Tommie was a much-loved son and brother, and a popular member of George Boughey’s racing team. His parents Jeremy and Tonie ask that their privacy is respected at this terrible time.”
Brant Dunshea, Acting Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), also expressed his sorrow, describing Tommie as “a talented young rider with the world at his feet.”
Dunshea added that Jakes had “earned great praise from trainers for his horsemanship and attitude in just the last few months.” He emphasized that support services were being made available to help Jakes’s family, colleagues, and friends cope with the loss.
“All of us in the racing community will share that pain,” he said, confirming that marks of respect would be observed at Chelmsford and Southwell racecourses, as well as other venues in the coming days.
