Racegoers at Newmarket pay tribute to crossbow killing victims

A minute’s silence has been held at a horse racing occasion after the spouse and two daughters of BBC Racing commentator John Hunt had been killed in a crossbow assault.

Carol Hunt, 61, Hannah, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, died in Bushey, Hertfordshire on Tuesday, and suspect Kyle Clifford was later discovered significantly injured after a manhunt.

These attending Girls Day at Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk paused to pay their respects, jockeys wore black armbands and a fellow commentator paid tribute on air.

Racecourse common supervisor Sophie Ready stated they and The Jockey Membership wished to indicate their assist to Mr Hunt.

“John is a part of our racing household, racing is a really particular neighborhood and we wished to let him know that each one of us listed here are excited about him throughout this troublesome time,” she stated.

“It was clearly very stunning and we simply need him to know we’re right here to assist him in any means we will.”

Mr Hunt would have been on the July Competition as a part of his BBC commentating duties.

Racegoer Ian Musk, from Cambridgeshire, was amongst those that noticed the minute’s silence.

He stated: “It is onerous to think about how anybody would address that kind of tragedy.

“To see everybody right here paying tribute, I hope it goes some strategy to present how a lot we care.”

ITV racing commentator Richard Hoiles paid tribute at the beginning of his protection.

“It is not possible to rationalise such a heinous, pointless and horrible act in modern-day society,” he stated.

“I’ve recognized John for 30 years. Should you spend even a couple of moments in his firm, the chances are that the speak will flip to household.

“It has been a folklore that after our annual shindig at Christmas 20-odd years in the past, we would all retired to the native pub and out would come John’s pockets with photos of the women at major college.

“Phrases simply appear hole and insufficient in such circumstances and all we will try to do is present some crumb of consolation by attempting to exhibit the heat and respect by which John and his household are held.”