RACING is in mourning following the death of work-rider Jordan Smith.
The ‘fantastic lad’ and highly skilled horseman was found at the Newmarket stables of Kevin Philippart de Foy last Saturday morning.
Smith had been a hugely popular work-rider at the trainer’s yard
PAPhilippart de Foy has said his entire team is devastated following the shock death[/caption]
Police were called to Egerton Stud after Smith’s body was discovered by another staff member.
According to the Racing Post, there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the sad passing.
Philippart de Foy, who tweeted on Saturday about the sudden loss of one of his team, spoke of the heartbreak he now feels.
He told the Racing Post: “Everyone at Machell Place and Egerton Stables is devastated.
“He had been a member of my team here for two years and has been a fantastic lad.
“He looked after Valfortino, who won the Victoria Cup last year, and had taken him racing at York only the day before his death when he finished second. He loved his horse.
“Jordan enjoyed his cricket and was supposed to play against the Newmarket trainers on Sunday.
“He joined us from David Simcock and before that he was based in Yorkshire.
“We got to know him well and he had a great personality and was a very hard worker. It’s very sad what has happened.”
Philippart de Foy has really started making a name for himself over the past couple of seasons as one of the up and coming young Flat trainers.
He has bagged two Listed contests with El Habeeb claiming the £56,000 Murless Stakes under Andrea Atzeni at Ascot last September.
The following month came another big win when Surrey Mist claimed the Prix Vulcain at Deauville the following month.
Philippart de Foy moved into the historic Machell Place yard in November 2020 and landed his first winner at Lingfield the following month.
He has gone from strength to strength since then and not long ago took over a second training facility at Kings Yard, Egerton.
The trainer has saddled 35 winners from 253 runs this season, with earnings totalling £455,455 at the time of writing.
Vafortino, who was a Class 2 winner at Ascot in May last year, with Benoit de la Sayette guiding him to a £52,000 win.