The jump racing community has been left in shock following the sudden death of talented amateur jockey Sam Lee at the age of just 27.
Lee was a committed fixture at point-to-point races and won four times under Rules, with his most memorable win coming on Golan Fortune in a Listed handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in November 2019.
Point-to-point meetings up and down the country held a minute’s silence for Lee before racing on Saturday afternoon, with one former employer speaking of how she had been devastated by the ‘absolutely horrendous’ news.
‘Such a young life,’ Lucy Morgan, a licensed trainer based in Leicestershire told the Racing Post. ‘He worked for me for a year and he had a couple of rides but his love was point-to-pointing. He had years of experience.
‘He was lovely and such a bubbly guy, he brightened up the room and he’d always be having a laugh and a joke; he was such fun to be around.’
Morgan added: ‘He was immaculately dressed whenever he went racing, he took pride in his job and his little terrier George was part of the furniture in the yard.
The jump racing community has been shocked by the tragic death of amateur jockey Sam Lee
Lee’s greatest victory under Rules came on Golan Fortune at Cheltenham in November 2019
‘Cheltenham was his love. He was a member there and it was his love. He’d have been there next week.’
The jockey had even taken part in the Festival in 2020 aboard Golan Fortune in the Coral Cup.
Lee was described as a ‘hugely popular’ figure in a joint statement from the Injured Jockeys Fund and the Point-to-Point Authority calling for the commemorative minute’s silence.
‘The point-to-point world is devastated to hear of the sudden death of Sam Lee,’ the statement read.
‘Our deepest sympathies go out to Sam’s family and his many friends. Sam was a hugely popular figure on the point-to-point scene and his tragic death is a huge shock for everyone.’
At race meetings on Saturday, jockeys sported black armbands, with trainer Lara Horsfall offering a poignant tribute after her Jack The Savage won at Hereford.
‘That was for Sam,’ she said. ‘He rode in points for us and was a very dear friend.’
‘We are all shocked and upset to hear about the death of amateur jockey Sam Lee,’ BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea added. ‘Amateur jockeys are an integral part of our sport, its community and its rich history.
‘Every jockey, professional or amateur, will be mourning today the death of a colleague and friend, as will everyone across British racing.
‘The sport has in place services to provide care and support to those close to Sam. That support is available to everyone in our sport and anyone affected by this issue is encouraged to call them. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.’
