Latest news with #Greatrex
Irish Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
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."
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Aspiring jockey found dead at racing yard in third tragedy there in four years
Warren Greatrex's stables saw a third death in four years over the weekend as an aspiring young jockey and trainer Billy Moffatt was found dead in his accommodation in Berkshire An aspiring jockey has died at a leading racing yard — in the third tragedy at the stables in the last four years. Stable lad Billy Moffatt was found in his accommodation at the Warren Greatrex stables on Saturday. The alarm was raised when Billy, said to be in his early 20s, did not show up for work. The North East native worked for Greatrex training horses for around a year. It is the third death in recent years connected to the stable after staff members Michael Pitt, 19, was found dead at a petrol station after taking his life in July 2021, and David Thompson, 25, was reported missing before his body was tragically discovered in February 2022. Trainer Warren said Billy's passing was 'hugely upsetting' and said: 'He was a great member of the team with a great sense of humour.' Jockey Jack Wilmot said: "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 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." More than £10,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of seeing Billy return to the North East from Berkshire and the funeral. James Moffat said: "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." Speaking in 2022, Greatrex reflected on the passing of Thompson, a keen Chelsea FC supporter, following Pitt. "He didn't ride out but he loved his horses," he said. "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."
Rhyl Journal
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Warren Greatrex rewarded for Punchestown trip with Bill Baxter
The winning trainer is no stranger to success in Ireland and indeed this meeting, with his One Track Mind scooping Grade One honours at Punchestown in 2016. The Lambourn handler was out of luck with his first two runners at the Kildare track this week, but his admirable nine-year-old ensured he heads home with more riches from the Emerald Isle having seen off Anthony Honeyball's Jasmin De Grugy and the Jonjo and AJ O'Neill-trained Beachcomber. 'We've always been keen to come here if we have the right sort of horse,' said Greatrex. 'This horse has just been a star for us. He won the Topham two years ago and has found it hard since then, but he was on a dangerous mark today. 'He came over on Tuesday and he's a horse that loves going on a trip, like I do. He's thrived since he's been here. He was squealing in the morning. 'He almost ups his game when he goes away and we knew we had him in good shape.' Although Sean and James Bowen had steered Keep Running and Herakles Westwood respectively earlier in the meeting, it was left to Harry Bannister to partner 12-1 chance Bill Baxter in this Listed event. 'I was a bit worried about the ground, but Harry's given him a great ride,' continued Greatrex. 'He does like soft ground, but as I said he was on a dangerous mark and he's gone and done it so it's brilliant. 'I'm all for having a go and it's important that we all have a go if we have the right sort of horse. It pays off every now and then. It's what it's all about, competition is good.'
