RACING has been left reeling after the tragic death of 23-year-old jockey Avery Whisman.
Legendary US rider Mike Smith was among those paying tribute to Whisman, who raced in America.
R.I.P my little brother you will Always be so Loved
pic.twitter.com/akQmENODhc
— mike e smith (@mikeesmith10) January 12, 2023
Alongside a photo of them posing together, Smith wrote: “RIP my little brother. You will always be loved.”
A cause of death has not yet been officially announced for Whisman, who last raced at Presque Isle racecourse in Pennsylvania in August.
But one report said he had suffered a ‘prolonged struggle with the unrelenting physical and mental demands put on riders’.
His sister Emma told bloodhorse.com: “He had the biggest heart. He wanted everyone to know they were loved and cherished by him.
“We are not ashamed of what happened. We hope this tragedy can help someone else.
“We never want anyone to go through the pain we are suffering.”
Whisman had 90 winners from 810 rides and had earned connections more than £2.2million in prize money.
He set a new track record at Presque Isle last July when winning the £80,000 Karl Boyes Stakes aboard Simply Furious.
His final win came last August on Indian Spider for trainer Matthew Kintz.
Born in Lexington, Kentucky, not far from the famous Keeneland racecourse, he started out in eventing and competed at the 2017 Junior Olympics.
But he moved into racing due to the money on offer – and a chance to learn from idols such as Smith.
It was while racing in California that he got the chance to meet Hall of Fame legend ‘Money’.
Whisman is the second jockey in the past four weeks to sadly die.
Megan Taylor passed aged 26 as a result of the injuries she sustained in a terrible four-horse fall in New Zealand.
Social media was awash with comments remembering Whisman.
One said: “Saddened to hear about the passing of jockey Avery Whisman at the age of 22. Much too young.”
Top jockey Jose Ortiz wrote: “So sad. RIP AW.”
Professional rider Charlie Marquez said: “Rest in peace bro, so sad.”
One racing fan wrote: “Horrible to learn of the death of Avery Whisman. A great kid, he always had a smile on his face and was always fun to be around.”
