The family of Jack de Bromhead has expressed its grief over the tragic loss of the 13-year-old boy this weekend.

Son of Henry and Heather de Bromhead in Co Waterford, Jack lost his life in a fall on Saturday evening during the Glenbeigh Races on Rossbeigh beach in Co Kerry. News of the freak accident left the racing community in shock and utter sadness.

On Sunday afternoon, Jack's official death notice appeared online with these words from his family:

"On September 3rd we said goodbye to our extraordinary, beautiful 13 year old son, Jack.

"A one-of-a-kind child who touched all our lives in the best way possible - he will be forever present in our lives. Always cherished, always loved, frozen in time with a beautiful young soul. He was an amazing son who told us he loved us every day - an over-brimming heart of loyalty, empathy, patience, pluck, courage and how he made us laugh!

"Not only the perfect, funny, loving son but also an incredible, loving brother to our beautiful daughters, his twin sister Mia and his little sister, Georgia. He always had their back and was fiercely loyal and kind. Our hearts are truly broken.

"He made so many friends wherever he went and they felt his special, unique and loyal touch on their lives too. We ask that they please celebrate and love him as we know he would have wished.

"Jack has lived so many more years than the 13. He filled every moment of his days, always busy, forever curious grasping at life and new interests.

"The passion he had for his family and friends extended to all his hobbies and interests - too many to fit into 13 years and certainly too busy to spend more than a minute more than he had to in the classroom! "It started with his work on the farm, the tractor, the cattle, the ponies and horses. He was a passionate expert on them all by the time he was 10. By 11 he was offering expert advice and consultation to his father on training horses as he developed his fathers passion for all aspects of racing.

"He recently started at a new school and by day two had already made a huge number of new friends to add to all his closest friends from home - Jack's friendships were of the deep and loyal kind and treasured by him.

"Jack, you will be with us always at home in your family and friends' hearts. Always present, always cherished with so many memories from your packed, extraordinary life.

"Deeply loved and missed by your parents, Henry and Heather, your sisters Mia and Georgia, your grandparents Andrew, Marian, Harry and Sally, your aunts and uncles, extended family and friends."

Our precious Jack

"And he will raise you up on eagles' wings

Bear you on the breath of dawn

Make you to shine like the sun

And hold you in the palm of his hand"

FUNERAL DETAILS

Reposing on Tuesday (6th September) at his residence from 3pm to 7pm. House private at all other times.

Requiem Mass on Wednesday at noon in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Butlerstown followed by private cremation.

The funeral Mass will be live streamed.

Riding winners

Jack de Bromhead was one of the brightest prospects on the pony racing circuit, having ridden plenty of winners all over the country since his first win 12 months ago. He also rode out almost every day for his father.

Suzanne Eade, CEO Horse Racing Ireland, said: “Like everybody in the horse racing and pony racing community, I want to offer my deepest condolences to his parents Henry and Heather, his sisters Mia and Georgia and extended family, on the tragic loss of their beloved Jack.

"Jack may have been only 13 but he was already incredibly popular in the racing community. His family and friends, his pony racing colleagues and all those who lives he touched are in our thoughts today during this numbing, devastating tragedy.

"Horse Racing Ireland’s equuip department, through the Industry Assistance Programme, will assist in offering counselling for Jack’s pony racing colleagues and friends.

May he rest in peace.”

A spokesman on behalf of Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board CEO Darragh O’Loughlin said: “The directors and staff of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board extend their deepest sympathies to the De Bromhead family on the tragic loss of Jack yesterday. May he rest in peace.”

The British Horseracing Authority said in a tweet: “The BHA sends its deepest condolences to the family of Henry de Bromhead following the tragic death of his son Jack.”

The Irish Field sends its deepest sympathies to Jack's family and friends. They are foremost in our thoughts at this dark hour.

Click here to see the official death notice