Aspiring jockey dies at racing yard as he becomes 3rd tragedy there in 4 years
The body of an aspiring jockey has been found at a famous racing yard, in what is the third tragedy there in the space of just four years. Stable lad Billy Moffat was found dead in his room at the Warren Greatrex stables on May 10.
Horrified colleagues discovered Moffat, 21, when he was absent from work. He had been training horses for Greatrex for the best part of a year before his death.
He becomes the third person who is connected to the stables to die in four years. Staff member Michael Pitt was found dead, aged 19, at a petrol station after taking his life in July 2021. While David Thompson, 25, was a missing person before his body was discovered in February 2022.
The racing community is reeling from this latest sorrow. Warren, a trainer at Greatrex, expressed profound grief when he said: "He was a great member of the team with a great sense of humour."
Jockey Jack Wilmot also expressed his shock, saying: "Billy, words can't describe the way I'm feeling. I'm absolutely heartbroken, I'll love you forever mate and will always carry you with me whatever I do.
"Please, please, if you're struggling with something, please talk to someone. Love you mate. Gone far too soon."
SJD Racing joined the chorus of condolences with a statement that said: "So sad to hear of the passing of Billy Moffatt. Gone far too soon.
"We had the pleasure of helping him in his career as he wanted to learn to jump. Our thoughts are with his family. Please check in on your friends."
Over £10,000 has been fundraised through a GoFundMe campaign to support bringing Moffat home from Berkshire to the North East and financing funeral expenses. James Moffat shared: "I've been asked to set up a go fund me to help get our boy and all his belongings back home to the North East and help towards his funeral.
"It's not something we would even think of doing as a family but his mam has asked rather than flowers, a small donation no matter how much would be greatly appreciated towards helping cover all the costs to get him home and buried, the target is just a number set, anything at all will help, thanks for reading."
Back in 2022, Greatrex released a statement about the death of Thompson, following the passing of Pitt the year before. He said: "He didn't ride out but he loved his horses. We heard on Saturday morning that he had died and it was really hard to take, especially in the circumstances that we lost Michael Pitt last summer who was another person that was the life and soul of the yard and was a great part of the team.
"With neither lad you would ever imagine this would happen. There was no real signs. David's childhood had been a bit broken and he hit low at times but in the yard you would never see any signs of that.
"We are a big family here and to lose a member of the team is not easy to take. Everyone does get on well here from the top down but it has been very tough but we will get through it."
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