HEREFORD Racecourse has paid tribute to amateur jockey Lorna Brooke who died after a fall during a race at Taunton over the weekend.

Brooke, from over the Herefordshire border in Powys, fell from Orchestrated, trained by her mother Lady Susan Brooke, in the Pontispool Equine Sports Centre Handicap Chase at Taunton on April 8.

The rider had been in hospital in Bristol since the fall, but the IJF announced she had died on Sunday.

A statement read: "It is with deep sadness that we have to share the tragic news that Lorna Brooke passed away yesterday.

"Her family thank everyone for their kindness in the last few weeks, particularly the staff at Southmeads Hospital who were so professional.

"They will be having a private funeral and will hold a celebration of Lorna's life once Covid restrictions allow."

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Hereford Racecourse paid tribute to Brooke in a statement which said: "Thoughts, prayers and condolences with the family and friends of Lorna Brooke, who has so tragically died following a fall earlier this month.

"We will miss her riding at Hereford and know that racing's family will be so shocked and saddened by this very sad news."

The Racecourse Association said in a statement: "The Racecourse Association is deeply saddened by the tragic news of Lorna Brooke's death as a result of injuries sustained following a fall whilst race-riding at Taunton Racecourse on Thursday, April 8.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with Lorna's family and friends during this time.

"The RCA is in contact with Taunton Racecourse and relevant authorities, offering our support as required.

"All racecourses racing today will observe a period of silence and display black armbands as a mark of respect to Lorna's memory."

The British Horseracing Authority released a statement in which its chief executive Julie Harrington said: "Everybody at the BHA is devastated by this news. Lorna was a much-loved member of our sport, in which she and her family are steeped.

"Lorna demonstrated many of the qualities that make British racing so special.

"She was a proud competitor and somebody who was driven by an abundance of love not only for the sport but for the horses she competed with.

"My thoughts, along with everybody else who loves racing, are with Lorna's family, friends and colleagues at this dreadful time."