Trainer Brian Meehan, who is in California for Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Turf, provided Jakes with three winners this year, including Gascony in the famous Sangster silks at Epsom in August.
Speaking at Del Mar, Meehan said: “He was a regular at the yard and would ride work for me a couple of times each week.
“He was in last Thursday, he was a lovely lad. He had great promise and gave Gascony in the Sangster colours an outstanding ride to win a nursery at Epsom.
“It’s terrible news, a shock to everybody that knew him.”
The British Horseracing Authority’s acting chief executive Brant Dunshea said: “We are devastated to hear the news about Tommie.
“He was a talented young rider with the world at his feet, and had earned great praise from trainers for his horsemanship and attitude in just the last few months.
“His family and friends, colleagues at the George Boughey yard and everyone who worked with him in Newmarket will be grieving today, and all of us in the racing community will share that pain.
“The sport’s support services and the BHA will provide care and support to those close to Tommie, and welcome and encourage calls from anyone affected by this.
“There will be marks of respect at Chelmsford and Southwell [on Thursday] and at racecourses [on Friday].”
