Irish pony racing season suspended to respect De Bromhead family's loss

The rest of this year’s horse and pony racing season in Ireland has been suspended as a mark of respect for the De Bromhead family after the tragic death of their son Jack at Glenbeigh on Saturday.

Pony racing officials made the announcement via Twitter on Monday morning that all remaining fixtures for the season had been cancelled.

PonyRacing.ie tweeted: “Horse and pony racing is suspended for the rest of the season out of respect to Jack de Bromhead. Our priority now is to support everyone affected by this tragedy. Rest in peace Jack. Forever in our thoughts.”

Tributes continued to pour in on social media for the 13-year-old pony racing fanatic, son of Henry and Heather de Bromhead, who lost his life after a freak fall at the meeting on Rossbeigh Strand.

The Glenbeigh Festival and Races Committee also issued a heartfelt statement acknowledging the devastating incident.

"As parents our hearts are broken for the De Bromhead family and our deepest sympathy goes to them at this sad time," the statement read.

Jack de Bromhead: had been making making a big impression on the pony racing sceneCredit: Healy Racing

"As a committee and community we are all mourning together, a young life to be cut short in any circumstances is something that shouldn't happen.

"We would like to pay tribute to all the doctors, nurses, vets and local responders that helped on the scene in addition to the Irish Red Cross, Irish Ambulance service and the Air Ambulance.

"We would also like to thank the HPRA [Horse and Pony Racing Association] for their continued help throughout and to our own stewards and volunteers for their assistance and support.

"Ar dheis De go raibh a anam [May his holy soul be on the right side of God]."

De Bromhead will repose at the family home on Tuesday from 3pm to 7pm, the house being private at all other times.

His requiem mass will be on Wednesday at 12pm in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Butlerstown, followed by private cremation.