By TAMARA PRENN, SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER
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The bounce racing neighborhood has been left in shock following the sudden demise of gifted newbie jockey Sam Lee on the age of simply 27.
Lee was a dedicated fixture at point-to-point races and received 4 instances underneath Guidelines, together with his most memorable win approaching Golan Fortune in a Listed handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in November 2019.
Level-to-point conferences up and down the nation held a minute’s silence for Lee earlier than racing on Saturday afternoon, with one former employer talking of how she had been devastated by the ‘completely horrendous’ information.
‘Such a younger life,’ Lucy Morgan, a licensed coach based mostly in Leicestershire informed the Racing Post. ‘He labored for me for a 12 months and he had a few rides however his love was point-to-pointing. He had years of expertise.
‘He was pretty and such a bubbly man, he brightened up the room and he’d at all times be having amusing and a joke; he was such enjoyable to be round.’
Morgan added: ‘He was immaculately dressed at any time when he went racing, he took satisfaction in his job and his little terrier George was a part of the furnishings within the yard.
The bounce racing neighborhood has been shocked by the tragic demise of newbie jockey Sam Lee
Lee’s best victory underneath Guidelines got here on Golan Fortune at Cheltenham in November 2019
‘Cheltenham was his love. He was a member there and it was his love. He’d have been there subsequent week.’
The jockey had even taken half within the Pageant in 2020 aboard Golan Fortune within the Coral Cup.
Lee was described as a ‘massively widespread’ determine in a joint assertion from the Injured Jockeys Fund and the Level-to-Level Authority calling for the commemorative minute’s silence.
‘The purpose-to-point world is devastated to listen to of the sudden demise of Sam Lee,’ the assertion learn.
‘Our deepest sympathies exit to Sam’s household and his many mates. Sam was a massively widespread determine on the point-to-point scene and his tragic demise is a big shock for everybody.’
At race conferences on Saturday, jockeys sported black armbands, with coach Lara Horsfall providing a poignant tribute after her Jack The Savage received at Hereford.
‘That was for Sam,’ she mentioned. ‘He rode in factors for us and was a really pricey pal.’
‘We’re all shocked and upset to listen to concerning the demise of newbie jockey Sam Lee,’ BHA chief government Brant Dunshea added. ‘Novice jockeys are an integral a part of our sport, its neighborhood and its wealthy historical past.
‘Each jockey, skilled or newbie, might be mourning immediately the demise of a colleague and pal, as will everybody throughout British racing.
‘The game has in place providers to offer care and help to these near Sam. That help is offered to everybody in our sport and anybody affected by this concern is inspired to name them. Our ideas are together with his family and friends.’
