A PROMISING Irish horse trainer has been found dead in his bed in Yorkshire.
Second generation Sean McGuinness, 24, was the pupil assistant at Tipperary native John Quinn’s yard in Malton.
Mr Quinn told The Irish Post that the yard were deeply saddened and shocked by the loss.
Jockey Dougie Costello, who has been riding for the Quinn yard since he came to Britain said: “I met Sean six months ago. He was a quiet lad. He got on with his job, organised all the medical side of things and the staff. He’d an important position, just one step down from the trainer. It’s very sad.”
Sean McGuinness served time as an apprentice jockey on the Curragh, but in 2005, after moving back to Britain, he was told that he was not able to pursue a career as a professional in England.
He went on to complete a graduate scheme with the BHA and joined the Quinn yard in March.
John Quinn said: “Sean and I were working together on Tuesday. He went for a run and went to bed and never woke up the next morning. The paramedics tried to revive him, but they couldn't.
“It is a tragedy to lose your life like that at only 24 years old. I broke the news to the lads and they were all devastated. I feel so sorry for his parents as he was an only child.
“We are all very saddened.”
BHA director of race day operations and regulation Jamie Stier said: “We are saddened to hear of Sean’s passing.
“It is a testament to Sean's dedication and his love of racing that when he was informed in 2005 that he would not be able to pursue a career as a jockey that he did not give up on his dream to work in the industry and eventually attained a place on the grad scheme.”
