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Irish Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Horse racing trainer opens up on heartbreaking deaths of three stable staff
Warren Greatrex has opened up on the devastating deaths of three of his stable staff. The trainer and those in his yard were left heartbroken following the suicides of Michael Pitt, David Thompson and Billy Moffatt. Michael Pitt took his own life at the age of 19 in July 2021. He was found dead at a petrol station in Hungerford. The amateur rider's inquest heard how he consumed alcohol with friends and got into an argument. He left alone at around 11pm after refusing a lift home and was found dead by a shop worker just before 7am the next morning. The following February, David Thompson, 25, was found dead in woodland in Lambourn. He was reported missing after not turning up for work. And in May of this year, Billy Moffatt, 20, was found dead in his accommodation at Greatrex's yard. He had previously spent two years working for trainer Alan King. Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Greatrex told Racing TV's Luck On Sunday about the heartbreak the three deaths caused. He said: "I am the trainer so when I have a member of staff I am like a father figure as well. Parents entrust you to look after their children. "I do feel responsible and all I am, and have been worried about, is everyone else. I never thought I'd have a situation like this. "Even now it's tough to talk about - but in the situation all you are worried about is everyone else. "None of those three lads you would have had any idea that they would do that. All three lads were really good young men. They were funny, good to be around. "Billy was a larger-than-life Newcastle lad who touched a lot of people because he was great fun to be around. But there aren't any signs." Greatrex praised charity Racing Welfare, who he said were at his yard 'within minutes' to offer support to his staff. "I think when you're surrounded by young people there will be times when there will be drinking," Greatrex added. He continued: "I always find when a member of staff comes into the yard I am responsible. But when they leave the yard I can't keep an eye on them and have their back or look after them all the time. "There will be times when members of staff come to speak to me or someone else senior like Tessa my wife, and of course we always do our best to help them. "But when they leave the yard I am helpless. Still, I want them to be able to come to me. "I am a father and when my children go anywhere, or to other yards, you want them to be looked after and navigated in the right direction." If you have been affected by the contents of this article, support can be found from the following resources: National Drugs and Alcohol Helpline: 1800 459 459 (Monday-Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm) or helpline@ The Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours a day, 365 days of the year) or jo@
Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Heartbroken trainer Warren Greatrex opens up on the tragic deaths of three stable lads at his yard in just four years
He said emotions at his Berkshire base are 'still raw' after the devastating losses AWFUL TRAGEDY Heartbroken trainer Warren Greatrex opens up on the tragic deaths of three stable lads at his yard in just four years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEARTBROKEN trainer Warren Greatrex has bravely opened up on the deaths of three young workers at his yard - remembering them all as 'great lads'. The Lambourn-based jumps trainer has had to be a father figure and counsellor for those rocked by the suicides of Michael Pitt, David Thompson and, most recently, Billy Moffatt. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Billy Moffatt, who was in his early 20s when he was found dead, was the third yard worker for Warren Greatrex to take his own life in just four years Credit: Facebook 3 Michael Pitt was found dead aged 19 in the first tragedy to rock the trainer's stables Credit: Hyde News & Pictures 3 The Lambourn-based, Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer, said he considers himself a father figure to everyone who works for him - and worrying about them rather than himself is the only way to deal with such devastating losses Credit: Rex Pitt was just 19 and a promising amateur jockey when he took his own life in July 2021. Greatrex, who had just moved to his Rhonehurst yard at the time, described the soul-crushing experience as 'horrible'. Just seven months later, in February 2022, popular stable lad Thompson, 25, was found dead. The huge Chelsea fan, who was reported missing in the days prior, had written a letter saying the happiest days of his life had been working for Greatrex, who said the second death 'hit me so hard'. Then in May this year, Moffatt, who was in his early 20s, was found dead in his accommodation - the third death in just four years. Greatrex, a Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer, admitted he 'never thought' he would have to go through such shock and pain. He told Luck on Sunday on Racing TV the passing of all three and the devastating impact on those who worked alongside them every day was still 'raw'. And he said to know the lads you would have had absolutely no idea any were struggling to the extent they were. Explaining the magnitude of the losses and how best he tried to deal with it, an emotional Greatrex said: "I am the trainer so when I have a member of staff I am like a father figure as well. "Parents entrust you to look after their children. "I do feel responsible and all I am, and have been worried about, is everyone else. "I never thought I'd have a situation like this. "Even now it's tough to talk about - but in the situation all you are worried about is everyone else. "None of those three lads you would have had any idea that they would do that. "All three lads were really good young men. They were funny, good to be around. "Billy was a larger-than-life Newcastle lad who touched a lot of people because he was great fun to be around. "But there aren't any signs." Greatrex also spoke about the stresses and strains of working in the sport and how charity Racing Welfare have helped. He said while 'no words can describe the devastation' of the deaths, Racing Welfare were at his yard 'within minutes' to offer support to those coming to terms with the losses. His words pleading for more to be done with alcohol and drugs in racing came just days after champion jockey Oisin Murphy was charged with drink-driving ahead of his appearance at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Greatrex continued: "I think when you're surrounded by young people there will be times when there will be drinking, there will be drug use - that's just the way of the world now unfortunately. "Maybe there is a way that people can recognise it (drug use) and help people with what they can and can't do, or at least guide them in the right direction. You're Not Alone EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers. It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women. Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now. That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign. The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives. Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: CALM, 0800 585 858 Heads Together, HUMEN Mind, 0300 123 3393 Papyrus, 0800 068 41 41 Samaritans, 116 123 "I always find when a member of staff comes into the yard I am responsible. "But when they leave the yard I can't keep an eye on them and have their back or look after them all the time. "There will be times when members of staff come to speak to me or someone else senior like Tessa my wife, and of course we always do our best to help them. "But when they leave the yard I am helpless. "Still, I want them to be able to come to me. "I am a father and when my children go anywhere, or to other yards, you want them to be looked after and navigated in the right direction." Greatrex will take part in a marathon hike in support of Racing Welfare on Sunday - donate to their cause HERE.
The Irish Sun
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Heartbroken trainer Warren Greatrex opens up on the tragic deaths of three stable lads at his yard in just four years
HEARTBROKEN trainer Warren Greatrex has bravely opened up on the deaths of three young workers at his yard - remembering them all as 'great lads'. The Lambourn-based jumps trainer has had to be a father figure and counsellor for those rocked by the suicides of Michael Pitt, David Thompson and, most recently, Billy Moffatt. 3 Billy Moffatt, who was in his early 20s when he was found dead, was the third yard worker for Warren Greatrex to take his own life in just four years Credit: Facebook 3 Michael Pitt was found dead aged 19 in the first tragedy to rock the trainer's stables Credit: Hyde News & Pictures 3 The Lambourn-based, Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer, said he considers himself a father figure to everyone who works for him - and worrying about them rather than himself is the only way to deal with such devastating losses Credit: Rex Pitt was just 19 and a promising amateur jockey when he Greatrex, who had just moved to his Rhonehurst yard at the time, described the soul-crushing experience as 'horrible'. Just seven months later, in February 2022, popular stable lad The huge Chelsea fan, who was reported missing in the days prior, had written a letter saying the happiest days of his life had been working for Greatrex, who said the second death 'hit me so hard'. Then in May this year, Moffatt, who was in his early 20s, was Greatrex, a Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer, admitted he 'never thought' he would have to go through such shock and pain. He told And he said to know the lads you would have had absolutely no idea any were struggling to the extent they were. Most read in Horse Racing Explaining the magnitude of the losses and how best he tried to deal with it, an emotional Greatrex said: "I am the trainer so when I have a member of staff I am like a father figure as well. "Parents entrust you to look after their children. "I do feel responsible and all I am, and have been worried about, is everyone else. "I never thought I'd have a situation like this. "Even now it's tough to talk about - but in the situation all you are worried about is everyone else. "None of those three lads you would have had any idea that they would do that. "All three lads were really good young men. They were funny, good to be around. "Billy was a larger-than-life Newcastle lad who touched a lot of people because he was great fun to be around. "But there aren't any signs." Greatrex also spoke about the stresses and strains of working in the sport and how charity Racing Welfare have helped. He said while 'no words can describe the devastation' of the deaths, Racing Welfare were at his yard 'within minutes' to offer support to those coming to terms with the losses. His words pleading for more to be done with alcohol and drugs in racing came just days after champion jockey Greatrex continued: "I think when you're surrounded by young people there will be times when there will be drinking, there will be drug use - that's just the way of the world now unfortunately. "Maybe there is a way that people can recognise it (drug use) and help people with what they can and can't do, or at least guide them in the right direction. You're Not Alone EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers. It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women. Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now. That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign. The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives. Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: CALM, Heads Together, HUMEN Mind, Papyrus, Samaritans, "I always find when a member of staff comes into the yard I am responsible. "But when they leave the yard I can't keep an eye on them and have their back or look after them all the time. "There will be times when members of staff come to speak to me or someone else senior like Tessa my wife, and of course we always do our best to help them. "But when they leave the yard I am helpless. "Still, I want them to be able to come to me. Read more on the Irish Sun "I am a father and when my children go anywhere, or to other yards, you want them to be looked after and navigated in the right direction." Greatrex will take part in a marathon hike in support of Racing Welfare on Sunday - donate to their cause
Irish Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Aspiring jockey dies at racing yard as he becomes 3rd tragedy there in 4 years
The body of an aspiring jockey has been found at a famous racing yard, in what is the third tragedy there in the space of just four years. Stable lad Billy Moffat was found dead in his room at the Warren Greatrex stables on May 10. Horrified colleagues discovered Moffat, 21, when he was absent from work. He had been training horses for Greatrex for the best part of a year before his death. He becomes the third person who is connected to the stables to die in four years. Staff member Michael Pitt was found dead, aged 19, at a petrol station after taking his life in July 2021. While David Thompson, 25, was a missing person before his body was discovered in February 2022. The racing community is reeling from this latest sorrow. Warren, a trainer at Greatrex, expressed profound grief when he said: "He was a great member of the team with a great sense of humour." Jockey Jack Wilmot also expressed his shock, saying: "Billy, words can't describe the way I'm feeling. I'm absolutely heartbroken, I'll love you forever mate and will always carry you with me whatever I do. "Please, please, if you're struggling with something, please talk to someone. Love you mate. Gone far too soon." SJD Racing joined the chorus of condolences with a statement that said: "So sad to hear of the passing of Billy Moffatt. Gone far too soon. "We had the pleasure of helping him in his career as he wanted to learn to jump. Our thoughts are with his family. Please check in on your friends." Over £10,000 has been fundraised through a GoFundMe campaign to support bringing Moffat home from Berkshire to the North East and financing funeral expenses. James Moffat shared: "I've been asked to set up a go fund me to help get our boy and all his belongings back home to the North East and help towards his funeral. "It's not something we would even think of doing as a family but his mam has asked rather than flowers, a small donation no matter how much would be greatly appreciated towards helping cover all the costs to get him home and buried, the target is just a number set, anything at all will help, thanks for reading." Back in 2022, Greatrex released a statement about the death of Thompson, following the passing of Pitt the year before. He said: "He didn't ride out but he loved his horses. We heard on Saturday morning that he had died and it was really hard to take, especially in the circumstances that we lost Michael Pitt last summer who was another person that was the life and soul of the yard and was a great part of the team. "With neither lad you would ever imagine this would happen. There was no real signs. David's childhood had been a bit broken and he hit low at times but in the yard you would never see any signs of that. "We are a big family here and to lose a member of the team is not easy to take. Everyone does get on well here from the top down but it has been very tough but we will get through it."
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Aspiring jockey found dead at racing yard in third tragedy there in four years
Warren Greatrex's stables saw a third death in four years over the weekend as an aspiring young jockey and trainer Billy Moffatt was found dead in his accommodation in Berkshire An aspiring jockey has died at a leading racing yard — in the third tragedy at the stables in the last four years. Stable lad Billy Moffatt was found in his accommodation at the Warren Greatrex stables on Saturday. The alarm was raised when Billy, said to be in his early 20s, did not show up for work. The North East native worked for Greatrex training horses for around a year. It is the third death in recent years connected to the stable after staff members Michael Pitt, 19, was found dead at a petrol station after taking his life in July 2021, and David Thompson, 25, was reported missing before his body was tragically discovered in February 2022. Trainer Warren said Billy's passing was 'hugely upsetting' and said: 'He was a great member of the team with a great sense of humour.' Jockey Jack Wilmot said: "Billy, words can't describe the way I'm feeling. I'm absolutely heartbroken, I'll love you forever mate and will always carry you with me whatever I do. "Please, please, if you're struggling with something, please talk to someone. Love you mate. Gone far too soon." SJD racing said: "So sad to hear of the passing of Billy Moffatt. Gone far too soon We had the pleasure of helping him in his career as he wanted to learn to jump. Our thoughts are with his family. Please check in on your friends." More than £10,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of seeing Billy return to the North East from Berkshire and the funeral. James Moffat said: "I've been asked to set up a go fund me to help get our boy and all his belongings back home to the North East and help towards his funeral. "It's not something we would even think of doing as a family but his mam has asked rather than flowers, a small donation no matter how much would be greatly appreciated towards helping cover all the costs to get him home and buried, the target is just a number set, anything at all will help, thanks for reading." Speaking in 2022, Greatrex reflected on the passing of Thompson, a keen Chelsea FC supporter, following Pitt. "He didn't ride out but he loved his horses," he said. "We heard on Saturday morning that he had died and it was really hard to take, especially in the circumstances that we lost Michael Pitt last summer who was another person that was the life and soul of the yard and was a great part of the team. "With neither lad you would ever imagine this would happen. There was no real signs. David's childhood had been a bit broken and he hit low at times but in the yard you would never see any signs of that. 'We are a big family here and to lose a member of the team is not easy to take. Everyone does get on well here from the top down but it has been very tough but we will get through it."
