MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING BLAZE THAT KILLED TEENAGE RIDERS

THE British racing industry has been rocked by the death of two teenage apprentice jockeys in a fire in a block of flats that was allegedly deliberately lit.

North Yorkshire detectives have arrested a man following the fire which claimed the lives of teenage apprentices, Jamie Kyne and Jane Wilson, on Sunday (Australian time).

The Racing Post reports that a local man, in his 30s, had been questioned over the blaze which tore though a former hotel that had been converted to flats, providing homes for apprentices and stable employees.

Kyne, 18, who was employed by John Quinn, had ridden 29 winners this season and was third in the apprentice championship. Wilson, 19, who switched from the amateur to professional ranks last winter, had been with David Barron since December and had partnered three winners on Imperial Sword, owned by her mother Margaret.

Trainer David Barron revealed that Wilson loved her job to such an extent that she never mentioned taking time off for a holiday because she hated the prospect of missing involvement in a work morning.

On her web-page the teenager had written that her aims in life were ‘to be a successful jockey and do my best at everything I do in life’.

“Jan was already a very good rider when she joined us at the end of last year, but just recently I’d noticed her transformation to a jockey. That was most evident when she won on Imperial Sword at Ayr last month. She had tremendous potential and everything was coming together for her.”

Declan Carroll, the trainer responsible for bringing Jamie Kyne to Britain said: “I spotted him when he was riding in the breeze-ups at Kempton. He was in between Richard Hughes and Norman Williamson and, for me, he stuck out. I made some inquiries at the sales. He came and introduced himself, and said he wanted to be a jockey.

“He was a good lad, a natural rider, with a good personality. I think he rode two or three winners on Birkside for me. It is a terrible shame. It is desperate. I know his mother and father, and they will be absolutely gutted. That’s who your thoughts are with at the moment, and obviously the Wilsons as well.”

A North Yorkshire police spokesman said: “The man who was arrested in connection with the incident has been released on conditional police bail while the investigation continues.”

Two other racing employees were hurt – one was treated for smoke inhalation and burns and the other for a leg injury suffered leaping from a window to escape the fire.