A young jockey has been found dead at a leading racing yard, becoming the third person to die there in the last five years. Billy Moffatt, who was in his early twenties, was found in his accommodation on Saturday. The alarm was raised after he failed to show up for work at the Warren Greatex stables in Lambourn, Berkshire.
A source told The Sun that Moffatt was out the night before he was discovered and seemed ‘absolutely fine’. He is said to have worked at the stables for around three years, helping to train the horses. It is the third recent death at the yard after Michael Pitt and David Thompson died in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Warren Greatex described Moffatt’s death as ‘hugely upsetting’ and said that he would be sorely missed, adding: “He was a great member of the team with a great sense of humour.”
Meanwhile, fellow jockey Jack Wilmot posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, writing: “My brother Billy I can’t put into words the way that I’m feeling. I’m absolutely heartbroken.
“You were always the brightest spark in the room. Always knew how to cheer somebody up. I just wish you would’ve listened to your own advice and spoke to someone about what kind of things you were dealing with yourself.
“I truly can’t believe you’re gone. I will love you forever and I hope I can make you proud so until we meet again, my brother, why don’t we go somewhere only we know.”
An online fundraiser has been set up by a family member and has so far raised over £10,000, with almost 400 people donating to help cover funeral costs.
The description reads: “I’ve been asked to set up a GoFundMe to help get our boy and all his belongs 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 then flowers, a small donation no matter how much would be greatly appreciated towards helping cover all the costs to get him home and buried.”
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