‘A credit to his parents’ – Irish racing mourning shock death of promising jockey, 20, in Christmas Eve car crash

His heartbroken trainer has led the tributes
THE Irish horse racing industry has been plunged into mourning after the death of promising jockey Paul Kavanagh in a Christmas Eve car accident.

The 20-year-old died in the early hours of Wednesday morning after a crash on the N20 road close to Bruee in Limerick.

A native of Tuam in Galway, Kavanagh was a conditional rider for Enda Bolger. He had been working out of the well-known trainer’s Limerick yard after previously working in Britain.

Bolger conveyed his shock at Kavanagh’s untimely passing while speaking to The Racing Post.

He said: “We’re devastated. He was the most polite, well-mannered and well-brought-up young man we ever had anything to do with. He was a credit to his parents. I can’t imagine what they are going through.

“The smile on his face after riding a winner in those colours was fantastic. He was getting plenty of rides and Mick Winters was a big supporter as well. All he wanted to do was ride in races.

“Paul was very good friends with Rossa Ryan, and it was Rossa’s dad who sent him down to me. He was here for two years.

“We were helping him all the way. We have a nice horse here called Solitary Man, and he rode him a few times; he was up to that grade. It’s so sad.”

A further tribute was paid by his weighing room peer and fellow conditional jockey Aidan Kelly.

He stated: “He was a lovely young lad who was always looking for help. You couldn’t meet a nicer fellow.

“I want to send condolences to his family and to everybody in the weighing room; it’s such a shock to the system.

“He was quiet, you wouldn’t know he was there a lot of the time, but I used to meet him at the Curragh when he was working with Enda, and I’d always ask him about the horse he was riding. It’s such a tragedy.”

Among the online tributes that have emerged, Irishracing.com tweeted: “Everyone at irishracing is desperately sad to hear of the tragic death of Paul Kavanagh.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and the wider racing community.”

Similarly, the Racing View account wrote: “Dear God, just heard about Paul Kavanagh’s tragic passing, a wonderful young man, an absolutely heartbreaking tragedy for all that loved and knew him.

“A very young jockey and a very, very nice young fella, my lord above life can be so so cruel RIP Paul.”

As a mark of respect towards Kavanagh, riders at all three St Stephen’s Day meetings across Limerick, Leopardstown and Down Royal wore black armbands.

In addition to that, a minute’s silence was observes by riders and punters alike at all three venues prior to racing getting underway today.

The atmosphere was more subdued than one typically sees during what’s always a bumper day of post-Christmas racing.

Gardai have issued an appeal to anyone who was driving on the N20 in the Bruree area between 1.40am and 2.15am on Christmas Eve to come forward.

Anyone who may possess camera footage has been encouraged to bring it to their local Garda station.

Alternatively, Gardai can be contacted at the Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20650 or through the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.