19-Year-Old Apprentice Jockey Tommie Jakes Dies Suddenly-Racing World Pays Heartfelt Tribute.The sudden passing of 19-year-old apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes has sent tremors through the British horseracing community.
Found at his family home in the Freckenham/Newmarket area early Thursday morning, local authorities have confirmed that his death is not being treated as suspicious and a full file will be prepared for the coroner.
Overview of 19-Year-Old Apprentice Jockey Tommie Jakes Dies Suddenly
| Article on | Police release statement over ‘sudden death’ of 19-year-old jockey Tommie Jakes as racecourses honour heartbreaking loss |
| Name | Tommie Jakes |
| Age | 19 |
| Profession | Apprentice Jockey |
| Hometown | Freckenham, near Newmarket |
| Date of Death | October 24, 2024 |
| Cause of Death | Not treated as suspicious (awaiting coroner’s report) |
| Racing Wins | 59 career victories |
| Earnings | Over £500,000 in prize money |
| Trainer | George Boughey |
| Tributes | Minutes of silence and black armbands at UK racecourses |
Police Statement and Official Details
At approximately 5:45 a.m. on Thursday, the Suffolk Police were called by the ambulance service to a report of a sudden death of a man in Freckenham. They confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious and that they will prepare a file for the coroner.
No further details about the cause of death have been publicly released at this time, the investigation remains in its early stage and the family has requested privacy.
A Racing Career Full of Momentum
Though only 19, Tommie Jakes had already built a significant legacy in the making. He made his first win under Rules in 2023 and rode 11 winners that year. In 2024, his performance improved further, securing 29 victories. This season alone he achieved 19 wins from 188 rides and had recorded a strong recent success with trainer George Boughey’s Fouroneohfever at Catterick on October 18.
Tributes from the Racing World
Immediately after the news broke, tributes poured in. A joint statement from the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) and the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) read: “It is with deep sadness that we report the death of licensed apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes …
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 be respected at this terrible time.”
Racecourses Honour His Memory
In a heartfelt gesture, several racecourses around the country halted normal proceedings to honour Jakes. A minute’s silence was observed at venues such as Southwell Racecourse and Chelmsford City Racecourse, with many jockeys wearing black armbands.
Further tributes were scheduled at locations including Newmarket Racecourse, Wetherby Racecourse and Uttoxeter Racecourse. This collective moment of silence and mourning reflected how embedded Jakes had become in the fabric of racing life and how deeply his loss was felt.
Impact and Reflection
The loss of Tommie Jakes is devastating not just for his family and immediate circle, but for a sport that had invested hope in a young man widely seen as rising through the ranks. As the BHA stated, the industry will share the pain and provide support:
“The sport’s support services and the BHA will provide care and support to those close to Tommie, and welcome and encourage calls from anyone affected by this.”
What Lies Ahead
While the exact cause of death remains unreported publicly, the coroner’s file will aim to provide clarity in due course. Meanwhile, the racing community continues to rally both in grief and in raising awareness of support networks available to riders,
staff and families. It is also likely that in the wake of this tragedy, conversations will be reignited about mental health, well-being and the pressures faced by young athletes in demanding sports. The broad and immediate response from racecourses and industry bodies suggests that Jakes’s death may serve as a touchpoint for these ongoing discussions.
Final Thoughts
Tommie Jakes’s passing robs the horse-racing world of one of its promising young voices. While his career was cut tragically short, the wave of respect and loss that swept through racecourses, stables and beyond is testament to the mark he made.
On this day of mourning, the sport stands united in tribute and in a silent promise to carry forward the memory of a rider whose talent and character resonated far beyond the winner’s enclosure.
FAQs for 19-Year-Old Apprentice Jockey Tommie Jakes Dies Suddenly
Tommie Jakes was a 19-year-old apprentice jockey from the Newmarket area, widely regarded as one of British racing’s brightest young stars.
He was found dead at his family home in Freckenham. Police confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious and that a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Tommie Jakes passed away on the morning of Thursday, October 24, 2024.