TRAGIC Jack de Bromhead, the young jockey who died in a pony racing accident aged 13, will have a Cheltenham Festival race named in his honour.
Jack’s dad Henry, a Grand National-winning trained famed for teaming up with Rachael Blackmore to huge success, confirmed the news this afternoon.
"Michael O’Leary (of sponsors @Ryanair) has very kindly said they are going to name the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle the Jack de Bromhead Mares Novices’ Hurdle, which is incredible."
What a brilliant gesture
@HenrydeBromhead | @CheltenhamRaces | @irishkor
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 8, 2022
Jack, who sadly lost his life aged 13 after a pony racing accident, will have a Cheltenham Festival race run in his honour
The racing world was plunged into mourning when Jack’s death was confirmed following a fall at a festival in Ireland last September.
Global superstar Blackmore was among the hundreds of mourners at Jack’s funeral a few days later.
De Bromhead, who blew racing fans away with his kindness and generosity when delivering a heartfelt thanks to followers on TV recently, said race sponsor and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary had agreed to change the name of the contest he sponsors.
The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, which will be run on Thursday, March 17, will now be named the Jack de Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
De Bromhead told Racing TV: “Michael O’Leary has very kindly said they are going to name the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle the Jack de Bromhead Mares Novices’ Hurdle, which is incredible.
“I’m hoping to do a Willie (Mullins) on it and try and fill the field if at all possible!”
De Bromhead will target Magical Zoe at it – and try to pack the field with his own runners in a race he will desperately want to win for his son.
The top trainer continued: “Magical Zoe is a nice mare. We always thought she was nice but I suppose she did surprise us on Friday in the sense that she’s a bit of an unknown.
“I’m not sure where she’ll go next. I think I want to start at Cheltenham and work backwards with her.
“She’s only four and only a baby, so we’ll see.”
De Bromhead, 49, and wife Heather paid tribute to their son in a statement released in the days after his death.
It read: “On September 3, 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.
“He had 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.”
