Racing mourns Kyne and Wilson

Leading jockeys Kieren Fallon and Mick Kinane led the tributes to Jamie Kyne and Jan Wilson, the two apprentice riders who lost their lives in a fire in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Kyne, 18, and fellow apprentice Miss Wilson, 19, perished in the blaze in Norton, near Malton, North Yorkshire. They were having a party at the time.

A local man in his 30s was being questioned by detectives.

Police have not yet confirmed the identities of the two victims, but the teenagers have been missing since the inferno swept through their block in the early hours.

Fallon, who began his British riding career in the north of England, made his return from an 18-month riding suspension on Friday.

The six-times champion jockey said: "It is very sad and my hearts go out to the family, friends and relatives of the poor kids.

"It is something you don't like to see in racing or in any other sport."

Kinane, one of the elder statesman of the weighing room, won Saturday's Irish Champion Stakes aboard the brilliant Sea The Stars.

He said: "I was very, very saddened to hear the news before racing at the sad loss of the two young riders.

"I would like to express by deepest sympathies to their families."

Kyne was apprentice to Malton trainer John Quinn, whose yard is in mourning.

Sean Quinn, the trainer's son and assistant, said in a tribute on Facebook: "Me and dad were just talking about those horses you won on that no-on else could.

"The yard was silent (on Saturday morning) which makes a change and shows just how popular you were.

"Anyway, you're in a better place now, please god.

"Our family will be doing everything we can to help the cause, mate, and we will stay in touch with your family."

Kyne had this season ridden 12 winners for Quinn, who said on Sunday morning he would not be releasing a statement until the police have confirmed Kyne's death as one of the two bodies which still remain in the third-floor flat.

The family of Galway-born Kyne said they were devastated and shocked.

His aunt said: "The family are devastated. Jamie was a star."

Of his parents, she added: "They are so proud of him. At the moment they are just devastated and shocked."

Miss Wilson had been due to ride Imperial Sword, owned by her mother, Margaret, at Thirsk on Saturday.

The horse was declared a non-runner on Saturday morning.

Mrs Wilson, of Greenhead Farm, Rescobie, said of reports her daughter had been a victim of the blaze: "It hasn't been confirmed. We are waiting to find out."

Kyne's friend and fellow apprentice jockey, Ian Brennan was also in the third-floor flat and jumped to safety when the fire ripped through the building at 2.15am.

The 20-year-old was released from hospital in the early hours of the morning and went on to ride at Thirsk.

A fourth person in the block - believed to be an apprentice jockey - was also taken to York District Hospital and treated for burns and smoke inhalation.

The bodies of the victims remained in the burned-out building overnight as emergency services worked to make the structure safe enough for them to enter.

They are expected to be removed on Sunday.

York racecourse stage a meeting on Sunday and will observe a period of silence to remember the two jockeys killed.

A statement from the Yorkshire track read: "The tragic news emanating from Malton has caused great sadness for the team at York racecourse and the wider racing community.

"Our thoughts and prayers go to the family of those involved.

"As a mark of respect, we will observe a silence in the parade racing before the main race on Sunday at 3.45pm, provide black armbands for the jockeys, and fly the main raceday flags at half-mast."

Kyne's biggest career victory came at York when the Allan Dickman-trained Ishetoo won the £40,000 sportingbet.com Sprint at York in May.

He had been due to partner the same horse in a six-furlong handicap on Sunday.

Clerk of the course William Derby added: "The loss of two people in such circumstances, with so much to look forward to, is a great sadness.

"Jamie Kyne was clearly a rising star and had won a big race here in May. He had also been set to ride Ishetoo on Sunday.

"My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many friends he made in Yorkshire."

Sunday's other meetings at Fontwell and Worcester will also pay tribute.

Fontwell are flying their flags at half-mast, while Worcester will stage a one-minute silence, with jockeys donning black armbands.

Kevin Darley, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, said in a statement that racing was united in grief.

The former champion jockey said: "To lose two very talented riders in these circumstances is tragic.

"Jamie Kyne and Jan Wilson were well on their way in their careers as jockeys.

"The thoughts of everyone in the weighing-room go out to their family and friends."

A former pupil of Chapelpark Primary School in Angus and Forfar Academy, Miss Wilson had an early and passionate love for horses.

Outside school, she volunteered at Riding for the Disabled and was a committee member of Forfar Young Farmers.

As soon as she was old enough to leave school, she headed south to Newmarket for a nine-week course at the British Racing School.

From there she moved to Ferdy Murphy's National Hunt yard in North Yorkshire in October 2007, and later moved to David Barron's yard as an apprentice.

Murphy said: "The intention was always for her to go to an established Flat yard, but she didn't want to go in on the bottom rung and wanted a bit of experience first.

"I think that probably showed in her riding as she looked like she was going the right way.

"She was an only daughter as well, which doesn't make it any better.

"Her parents are Scottish and love their racing. For them to have a horse in training was a dream, but to have one with their daughter riding it was just incredible for them.

"What's happened just beggars belief and it's hard to fathom, really.

"Sometimes you get up on a morning and you have a horse lame or a horse with a cold, but this just puts it all into perspective."

Just four weeks before her death, the 19-year-old enjoyed her third adult victory on the racecourse - romping to victory aboard Imperial Sword in her native land at Ayr.