THERE is widespread shock among the Irish racing community following the death of 13-year-old Jack de Bromhead, son of leading horse trainer Henry.
The teenager died in a horse racing accident in Co Kerry on Saturday.
He had been taking part in Glenbeigh horse and pony race at Rossbeigh beach. The racing event was immediately cancelled following the incident.
It is understood the young jockey fell from his horse.
Pony Racing tweeted: "We pass on our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jack de Bromhead who tragically died in Glenbeigh on Saturday.
"It's impossible to put into words the sense of grief and loss that is being felt by everyone involved so please give them time to mourn. RIP Jack."
Suzanne Eade, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: "Like everybody in the horse racing and pony racing community, I want to offer my deepest condolences to (Jack's) parents Henry and Heather, his sisters Mia and Georgia, and extended family on the tragic loss of their beloved Jack.
"Jack may have been only 13 but he was already incredibly popular in the racing community.
"His family and friends, his pony racing colleagues and all those whose lives he touched are in our thoughts today during this numbing, devastating tragedy."
She said Horse Racing Ireland will, through the Industry Assistance Programme, "assist in offering counselling for Jack's pony racing colleagues and friends. May he rest in peace".
Darragh O'Loughlin, chief executive of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, said: "The directors and staff of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board extend their deepest sympathies to the de Bromhead family on the tragic loss of Jack. May he rest in peace."
The British Horseracing Authority tweeted: "The BHA sends its deepest condolences to the family of Henry de Bromhead following the tragic death of his son Jack."
Fellow horse trainer Gordon Elliott cancelled an open day at his yard on Sunday.
Former rugby star Ronan O'Gara was also among those expressing shock. He tweeted: "Thoughts and prayers with the de Bromhead family. A 13-year-old boy taken doing what he loved. The poor family. The heart hurts."
In a statement, gardai said emergency services were called to the scene at Rossbeigh beach on Saturday at about 5.20pm.
Jack received treatment at the scene but was later pronounced dead.
His body was removed to the morgue at Kerry University Hospital.
