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Tommie Jakes
Tommie Jakes
Apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes was found dead at his family home in Freckenham, near Newmarket in the early hours of Thursday, October 30, 2025, having taken his own life. He was 19 years old. Suffolk Police confirmed that his death was not being treated as suspicious.
Apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes was found dead at his family home in Freckenham, near Newmarket in the early hours of Thursday, October 30, 2025, having taken his own life. He was 19 years old. Suffolk Police confirmed that his death was not being treated as suspicious.
He was initially apprenticed to Jane Chapple-Hyam and rode his first winner on the yard’s Suzi’s Connoisseur in a seven-furlong apprentice handicap at Lingfield on March 1, 2023.
He was initially apprenticed to Jane Chapple-Hyam and rode his first winner on the yard’s Suzi’s Connoisseur in a seven-furlong apprentice handicap at Lingfield on March 1, 2023.
He was also apprenticed to Alice Haynes, who gave him his sole winner at Newmarket, Parisiac, in November 2023, and latterly to George Boughey, for whom he partnered his last winner, Fouroneohfever, at Catterick on October 18, 2025.
He was also apprenticed to Alice Haynes, who gave him his sole winner at Newmarket, Parisiac, in November 2023, and latterly to George Boughey, for whom he partnered his last winner, Fouroneohfever, at Catterick on October 18, 2025.
He had also ridden out for Brian Meehan at Manton and had three winners from 17 rides for the trainer during the 2025 turf season.
He had also ridden out for Brian Meehan at Manton and had three winners from 17 rides for the trainer during the 2025 turf season.
Scottish-based trainer Linda Perratt gave him more rides than anybody in his career – 169 – and 17 winners.
Scottish-based trainer Linda Perratt gave him more rides than anybody in his career – 169 – and 17 winners.
The 5lb claimer had ridden at Nottingham the day before his death when he partnered the Ismail Mohammed-trained Guarantee to finish seventh of nine runners in a juvenile maiden over a mile.
The 5lb claimer had ridden at Nottingham the day before his death when he partnered the Ismail Mohammed-trained Guarantee to finish seventh of nine runners in a juvenile maiden over a mile.
He rode a total of 59 winners from 519 rides in a career which spanned only three years.
He rode a total of 59 winners from 519 rides in a career which spanned only three years.
Alice Haynes said: “It’s very sad. He had one of his first jobs in racing with us. He was keen and very enthusiastic and rode well. He rode me my first winner at Newmarket. It’s really shocking news.
Alice Haynes said: “It’s very sad. He had one of his first jobs in racing with us. He was keen and very enthusiastic and rode well. He rode me my first winner at Newmarket. It’s really shocking news.
“He was apprenticed to us for a while before he moved on to George Boughey. He was a likeable lad who came from a lovely family and no-one had a bad word to say about him.”
“He was apprenticed to us for a while before he moved on to George Boughey. He was a likeable lad who came from a lovely family and no-one had a bad word to say about him.”
Linda Perratt said: “It’s dreadful news. I’m really upset and my thoughts are with Tommie’s family. He rode lots of winners for us. His mum said I was like his second mother when he used to come and stay with us. We started using him and he rode most of them on the all-weather for us through the winter.”
Linda Perratt said: “It’s dreadful news. I’m really upset and my thoughts are with Tommie’s family. He rode lots of winners for us. His mum said I was like his second mother when he used to come and stay with us. We started using him and he rode most of them on the all-weather for us through the winter.”
His funeral of took place at St Mary’s Church in Newmarket on Friday, November 21. The racing community came out in force to pay their respects, with some of the 400-plus mourners having to stand outside to watch the service on a TV monitor. The celebration of his life was also broadcast around the world on a webcast.
His funeral of took place at St Mary’s Church in Newmarket on Friday, November 21. The racing community came out in force to pay their respects, with some of the 400-plus mourners having to stand outside to watch the service on a TV monitor. The celebration of his life was also broadcast around the world on a webcast.
Former champion jockeys William Buick and Ryan Moore were among the large contingent of Tommie’s former weighing room colleagues. Also in attendance were Billy Loughnane, David Egan, John Egan, Franny Norton, Jamie Spencer, Robert Havlin, Harry Davies, Luke Morris, Jason Weaver, Kieran Shoemark, Pat Cosgrave, Marco Ghiani, Jack Mitchell, Callum Shepherd, Kieran O’Neill and Neil Callan, with sons Jack and Henry.
Former champion jockeys William Buick and Ryan Moore were among the large contingent of Tommie’s former weighing room colleagues. Also in attendance were Billy Loughnane, David Egan, John Egan, Franny Norton, Jamie Spencer, Robert Havlin, Harry Davies, Luke Morris, Jason Weaver, Kieran Shoemark, Pat Cosgrave, Marco Ghiani, Jack Mitchell, Callum Shepherd, Kieran O’Neill and Neil Callan, with sons Jack and Henry.
Jane Chapple-Hyam was among several trainers to pay their respects, as did George Boughey. Linda Perratt made the trip from Scotland, while friend and fellow apprentice Fred Daly flew back from Australia especially for the service.
Jane Chapple-Hyam was among several trainers to pay their respects, as did George Boughey. Linda Perratt made the trip from Scotland, while friend and fellow apprentice Fred Daly flew back from Australia especially for the service.
The service was conducted by the Reverend Jeremy Lind, who had known Tommie from his other role as a clerk of the scales.
The service was conducted by the Reverend Jeremy Lind, who had known Tommie from his other role as a clerk of the scales.
After the service, there was a private cremation at West Suffolk Crematorium, followed by a gathering at the Rowley Mile racecourse.
After the service, there was a private cremation at West Suffolk Crematorium, followed by a gathering at the Rowley Mile racecourse.
Information sourced from Racing Post on October 30, November 11 and November 21, 2025.
Information sourced from Racing Post on October 30, November 11 and November 21, 2025.
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