Jockeys riding this weekend will wear black armbands after a torrid week for horse racing in which four members of its community died including Jessica Whalley, who worked for former Liverpool and England footballer Michael Owen.
Whalley, 25, a senior member of trainer Hugo Palmer’s staff at Owen’s Manor House Stables in Cheshire, collapsed and died just after riding work on Tuesday.
In another tragedy the following day 40-year-old Mazar Allauddin, an accomplished horseman who worked for Newmarket trainer Robert Cowell, died after falling from a horse on the gallops.
On Friday the death was announced of John Spearing, the trainer of more than 800 winners including the Welsh National, from lung cancer at the age of 82, only two months after he retired from training.
Another popular figure Dave Morris, who worked for Henry Cecil, before training himself in Newmarket passed away at the start of the week aged 74.
All will be remembered across race meetings on Saturday and Sunday after what BHA chief executive Julie Harrington described as a “tragic week”
“Jess Whalley was a shining example of what makes British racing so special,” she said.. ”She dedicated herself to providing outstanding care to horses and it was while doing this that her life was suddenly and tragically cut short. On behalf of all of us at the BHA, I extend my sympathies to all who knew and loved Jess.
“Likewise we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mazar Allauddin following his death on Wednesday. A superb horseman who also exemplified the values of British racing, Mazar had quickly established himself as a key part of the Robert Cowell team and his loss will be keenly felt.
“Both of these incidents are unspeakably tragic and there are no words to adequately describe the grief of losing a friend, colleague and loved one in such circumstances. The BHA along with colleagues at Racing Welfare, NARS and the IJF, have been working to provide support for staff affected by what took place at each yard.
“We also mourn the recent passing of John Spearing, who died peacefully at the age of 82 and Dave Morris, who left us following a long illness, aged 74. Our thoughts are with John and Dave’s families and friends at this sad time.
“Jockeys at all British tracks will be wearing black armbands this weekend in tribute to Jess, Mazar, John and Dave.”
