Heartbroken trainer Warren Greatrex opens up on the tragic deaths of three stable lads at his yard in just four years

The Sun

01-07-2025

HEARTBROKEN trainer Warren Greatrex has bravely opened up on the deaths of three young workers at his yard - remembering them all as 'great lads'.
The Lambourn-based jumps trainer has had to be a father figure and counsellor for those rocked by the suicides of Michael Pitt, David Thompson and, most recently, Billy Moffatt.
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Pitt was just 19 and a promising amateur jockey when he took his own life in July 2021.
Greatrex, who had just moved to his Rhonehurst yard at the time, described the soul-crushing experience as 'horrible'.
Just seven months later, in February 2022, popular stable lad Thompson, 25, was found dead.
The huge Chelsea fan, who was reported missing in the days prior, had written a letter saying the happiest days of his life had been working for Greatrex, who said the second death 'hit me so hard'.
Then in May this year, Moffatt, who was in his early 20s, was found dead in his accommodation - the third death in just four years.
Greatrex, a Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer, admitted he 'never thought' he would have to go through such shock and pain.
He told Luck on Sunday on Racing TV the passing of all three and the devastating impact on those who worked alongside them every day was still 'raw'.
And he said to know the lads you would have had absolutely no idea any were struggling to the extent they were.
Explaining the magnitude of the losses and how best he tried to deal with it, an emotional Greatrex said: "I am the trainer so when I have a member of staff I am like a father figure as well.
"Parents entrust you to look after their children.
"I do feel responsible and all I am, and have been worried about, is everyone else.
"I never thought I'd have a situation like this.
"Even now it's tough to talk about - but in the situation all you are worried about is everyone else.
"None of those three lads you would have had any idea that they would do that.
"All three lads were really good young men. They were funny, good to be around.
"Billy was a larger-than-life Newcastle lad who touched a lot of people because he was great fun to be around.
"But there aren't any signs."
Greatrex also spoke about the stresses and strains of working in the sport and how charity Racing Welfare have helped.
He said while 'no words can describe the devastation' of the deaths, Racing Welfare were at his yard 'within minutes' to offer support to those coming to terms with the losses.
His words pleading for more to be done with alcohol and drugs in racing came just days after champion jockey Oisin Murphy was charged with drink-driving ahead of his appearance at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
Greatrex continued: "I think when you're surrounded by young people there will be times when there will be drinking, there will be drug use - that's just the way of the world now unfortunately.
"Maybe there is a way that people can recognise it (drug use) and help people with what they can and can't do, or at least guide them in the right direction.
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"I always find when a member of staff comes into the yard I am responsible.
"But when they leave the yard I can't keep an eye on them and have their back or look after them all the time.
"There will be times when members of staff come to speak to me or someone else senior like Tessa my wife, and of course we always do our best to help them.
"But when they leave the yard I am helpless.
"Still, I want them to be able to come to me.
"I am a father and when my children go anywhere, or to other yards, you want them to be looked after and navigated in the right direction."