Police have released a statement regarding the tragic passing of young apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes. The talented jockey died shortly after his last race at Nottingham Racecourse on Wednesday.

Numerous tributes have poured in for Jakes, who achieved 59 victories in just three seasons of competing in Flat racing.

A moment of silence was observed at Chelmsford, where the 19-year-old was scheduled to ride two horses trained by Ismail Mohammed.

Suffolk Police reported, “The ambulance service notified the police of a sudden death in Freckenham at 5.45 am this morning. The incident is not considered suspicious, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.”

Jockeys at various racetracks have been wearing black armbands as a gesture of respect for Jakes, who participated in 519 races.

Renowned jockey Paul Mulrennan, who rode against Jakes on Wednesday, shared, “He was a wonderful young man. I chatted with him at Nottingham the day before. He seemed happy, always cheerful and polite.”

Reflecting on the somber atmosphere, Hector Crouch at Chelmsford commented, “It’s a tough time for everyone. The focus is more on completing tasks rather than looking ahead. The mood is heavy.”

Jakes was part of George Boughey’s team based in Newmarket and secured his final win on Boughey’s horse, Fouroneohfever, at Catterick recently.

Boughey paid tribute, stating, “He was not only a remarkably talented young rider with a bright future but also an exceptionally kind, popular, and diligent individual. We will deeply miss him.”

Linda Perratt, another supporter of Jakes, expressed profound sadness, noting, “TomTom, as we affectionately called him, rode frequently for us and triumphed with 17 of our horses. The racing community lost an exceptional talent today. We lost a dear friend.”

Jakes, a resident near Newmarket, is being honored by industry experts and race enthusiasts attending the town’s event.

Lydia Hislop, a Racing TV presenter, remarked, “The shock and sorrow felt at the racecourse and throughout the town are evident. Words cannot suffice, so we will commemorate Tommy with a moment of silence to convey our thoughts and prayers for him, his family, and friends.”