It was announced today that amateur jockey Lorna Brooke has passed away after falling from a horse at Taunton earlier this month.
The Injured Jockeys Fund broke the news today following Brooke's fall from Orchestrated, a horse owned by her mother Lady Susan Brooke, in the Pontispool Equine Sports Centre Handicap chase on 8 April.
Brooke was known to Irish racing punters following her 2015 win at the inaugural Ladies Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse abroad Moonlone Lane, the Paul Stafford-trained horse.
Moonlone Lane started the race that day at 25/1, and had never won prior to Brooke's ride in the meeting.
Paul Stafford spoke to Sky Sports following the news of Brooke's death.
"It's tragic news, it really is shocking.
"When she got the fall people were very concerned, we were too and we were saying prayers, but unfortunately this has happened.
"She was a lovely person, obviously she rode that winner for us and we kept in contact over the years through social media, congratulating each other on social media when each of us had winners. It’s shocking it’s happened."
Other major names in racing have spoken of their sadness at Brooke's passing this morning.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Lorna Brooke..❤️
— Henry de Bromhead (@HenrydeBromhead) April 19, 2021
Sickening news to hear about Lorna Brooke this morning. It’s devastating.I can’t begin to think what her family & friends are going through...my thoughts go to you all.just so so sad. 💔
— 𝗿 𝗮 𝗰 𝗵 𝗲 𝗮 𝗹 🐴 𝗸 𝗻 𝗲 𝗹 𝗹 𝗲 𝗿 (@jockeyrach) April 19, 2021
“When people get a fall, competitive edge goes out the window” – class words from the champion jockey Brian Hughes on the tragic news of Lorna Brooke… pic.twitter.com/JIGO0TFEdh
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 19, 2021
Over the course of a career that stretched to almost 20 years, Brooke drove 17 different horses to victory in various meetings. She rubbed shoulders with Aintree hero Rachel Blackmore at some of those races, oftentimes coming out on top.
In the statement released by the Injured Jockeys Fund, Brooke's family expressed their gratitude to those who cared for her at Southmead Hospital.
They added: "[Her family] will be having a private funeral and will hold a celebration of Lorna's life once Covid restrictions allow."
