THE family of Jack de Bromhead has expressed their grief after the tragic loss of their son and brother.

The son of Grand National winning trainer Henry de Bromhead and wife Heather, 13-year-old schoolboy Jack lost his life in a fall from his pony (3 September) in County Kerry Ireland at the Glenbeigh Races. The freak accident that caused Jack’s death has left the horse sports community in Ireland and abroad in deepest sadness for his parents, twin sister Mia and younger sister Georgia.

Last Sunday on 4 September, his family released this tribute ton their son and brother online at rip.ie, a website dedicated to publishing death notices in Ireland:

‘On September 3rd we said goodbye to our extraordinary, beautiful 13 year old son, Jack. 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! Not only the perfect, funny, loving son but also an incredible, loving brother to our beautiful daughters, his twin sister Mia and his little sister, Georgia. He always had their back and was fiercely loyal and kind. Our hearts are truly broken.

He made so many friends wherever he went and they felt his special, unique and loyal touch on their lives too. We ask that they please celebrate and love him as we know he would have wished. Jack has lived so many more years than the thirteen – he filled every moment of his days, always busy, forever curious grasping at life and new interests. 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.

He recently started at a new school and by day 2 had already made a huge number of new friends to add to all his closest friends from home – Jack’s friendships were of the deep and loyal kind and treasured by him.

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.

Deeply loved and missed by your parents, Henry and Heather, your sisters Mia and Georgia, your grandparents Andrew, Marian, Harry and Sally, your aunts and uncles, extended family and friends.’

The loving tribute from Jack’s family concluded with the refrain of the song, ‘On Eagle’s Wings by American priest and composer Michael Joncas:

Our precious Jack

And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings

Bear you on the breath of dawn

Make you to shine like the sun

And hold you in the palm of his hand

Jack de Bromhead rode out often with his father Henry, who made history in last year’s racing season with the winning racehorses he trained for the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Gold Cup and Grand National. He returned this year to win the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup while achieving second in the same race.

Donations in memory of Jack de Bromhead can be made at the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund online at https://www.irishinjuredjockeys.com.