Iain Jardine overwhelmed by reaction to death of work-rider Natasha Galpin

Iain Jardine has been overwhelmed by the reaction from across the whole spectrum of racing to the death of work-rider Natasha Galpin on Tuesday.

The Dumfriesshire trainer, who on Thursday tweeted his thanks for all the messages of support and apologised for not being able to reply to them all, said: "It just shows how tight knit the racing family is. This has touched everyone.

"The support we are getting is overwhelming from racing authorities, the BHA, National Trainers Federation, Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys' Fund as well as fellow trainers, jockeys and stable staff from all over the country.

"It is a very, very sad time and has been hard for everyone here to take in and our thoughts are with Natasha's family and friends while looking after the horses and keeping the ball rolling.

"I still can't believe it has happened on daily routine, doing a normal bit of work. It is hard for everyone to take in."

The stable's Song Of Summer briefly led in the mile handicap at Newcastle on Thursday, in which jockeys wore black armbands, before finishing sixth and Jardine added: "Everyone is still grieving in their own way but we need to keep going and keep people busy, not sitting around morbid days on end.

"Everyone is still thinking about Natasha, her family and friends."

The pain has been felt even more acutely in the Scottish racing community.

Jockeys will be wearing black armbands at Musselburgh on FridayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Delly Innes, manager of Scottish Racing which represents the five racecourses in Scotland, said: "Racing is a tight-knit community and even more so in Scotland.

"We are all incredibly shocked and it is a very raw time with our thoughts and prayers going out to the yard and all of Natasha's family and friends."

After talking to Galpin's family Musselburgh will not be holding a minute's silence during their raceday on Friday, but jockeys will be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect and in memory of Natasha, who was 22.

Ayr, which races on Sunday, is also planning to pay tribute to Galpin.

Anybody in racing affected by the news of Galpin's death is being asked to contact Racing Welfare at racingwelfare.co.uk or on 0800 6300 443.

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