Heartfelt tributes paid to jockey Avery Whisman after death aged 23

American racing is in mourning following the death of 23-year-old jockey Avery Whisman, and his family hope the tragedy "can help someone else".

He had struggled with the mental and physical challenges of a career in the saddle and had been riding up until 2022.

Whisman rode 90 winners from 810 races in his three-year career. He also built a close relationship with legendary rider Mike Smith, who called him a "little brother" when paying tribute.

His sister Emma told BloodHorse: "We are not ashamed of what happened, we hope this tragedy can help someone else. We never want anyone to go through the pain we are suffering.

"He had the biggest heart, he wanted everyone to know they were loved and cherished by him. Down to the animals, he was a great horseman. Everyone around him knew how much they were loved."

Whisman inherited his love for horses from his parents growing up in Kentucky and pursued a career as a jockey after moving to California in 2018. He worked with established trainer Carla Gaines but struck up a particularly special relationship with Smith, who helped him get started and gave him the saddle used when he rode Giacomo to win the Kentucky Derby in 2005.

He rode regularly before taking a two-year break between August 2020 and May 2022. When he returned he rode exclusively at Presque Isle Downs, Pennsylvania, riding 16 winners from 93 starts.

His mother Salli Whisman said: "He was an incredible athlete and extraordinarily determined, when he set his mind to do something, not only did he do it, he was good at it naturally. When you take a natural athlete and incredible determination, you get positive outcomes. Avery was very driven and very positive.

"He loved the sport and was an adrenaline junkie. He loved getting up every morning and getting on as many horses as possible. Whenever he would get on a horse that was level-headed, he loved to find a quiet moment on the track as the sun was coming up to give the horse the opportunity to stand there and breath, have a little more time out of the stall than it would otherwise."

Smith posted a tribute on Twitter, which read: "RIP my little brother, you will always be so loved."

Whisman is survived by his parents Lyman and Salli and sisters Clare McCabe, Caitlin Pinkney-Atkinson, and Emma Whisman. A memorial service will be held at his family home in Versailles, Kentucky on Monday.