Newmarket remained silent ahead of the opening day of the July Festival as racing showed its support for commentator John Hunt.
Hunt’s wife Carol and daughters Hannah and Louise were found fatally injured at a house in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday evening.
A show of strength in times of crisis is commonplace in the tight-knit racing community and there was a minute’s silence before the first race as Hunt’s media colleagues and friends joined members of the weighing room in the paddock to pay their respects.
The opening day of the July Festival often signals the arrival of peak summer, but it was a day when results on the track seemed unimportant to many.
This was demonstrated in the opening contest, where after seeing Ancient Wisdom step into the St Leger role, trainer Charlie Appleby’s thoughts turned to Hunt and his kin.
Jockeys wore black armbands at Newmarket on Thursday
“I would just like to say also that all our thoughts are with John Hunt, it was a very sad day yesterday,” Appleby said.
“All our thoughts, racing and Godolphin thoughts, are with John at this time.”
The jockeys present wore black armbands, and Oisin Murphy added: “We observed a minute’s silence before the first race. To John Hunt and all his family and friends, I am truly sorry for what has happened and we are all thinking of you.”
Hunt is not only a long-serving and distinguished commentator, leading BBC 5 Live’s coverage and presenting on Sky Sports Racing, but also one of the most popular members of the newsroom.
Lead commentator Richard Hoiles made an emotional statement at the start of ITV’s coverage, saying “words simply seem hollow and inadequate in such circumstances”.
Speaking before the race, he said: “It is impossible to rationalise such a heinous, unnecessary and terrible act in modern society.
A minute’s silence is observed for Carol, Louise and Hannah Hunt in Newmarket
“I have known John for 30 years, we started together and during that time he has become one of the most respected and loved members of the newsroom because of his fantastic ability in racing but also in other sports, such as swimming for the BBC at the Olympics.
“He is appreciated for his easy-going personality, his good sense of humor, his excellent company. If you spend a few moments in his company, there is a good chance that the conversation will turn to family.
“There are a lot of people in the newsroom whose families I don’t know anything about, but we all felt like we knew Carol and the girls, maybe a lot better than we actually did.
“It was a legend that after our annual Christmas party, about twenty years ago, we would all retreat to the local pub and John would take out his wallet with pictures of the girls from primary school and share them with random bar staff and anyone who would listen.
“In the chaos of modern life, it’s easy enough to lose sight of the things we hold dear, but John never did. I know I hugged my children tighter last night knowing that simple pleasure had been ripped away from one of my greatest friends and one of the greatest friends in the newsroom.
“Words seem hollow and inadequate in such circumstances, but all we can do is provide some comfort by trying to show the warmth and respect in which John and his family are held.”
Racing TV’s Nick Luck also offered his condolences, saying: “The truly horrific events of the last few days in Bushey, Hertfordshire are clearly on everyone’s minds, and Racing TV’s thoughts are with one of their favourite people, John Hunt – such a kind man, his family have suffered the cruelest fate imaginable.
“We are thinking of you John and your daughter Amy a lot.”
A minute’s silence was observed at Doncaster racecourse, with riders also wearing black armbands during Wednesday night’s fixtures.
Triple murder suspect Kyle Clifford has not yet spoken to police and remains in serious condition in hospital after the deaths of the three women.
The 26-year-old was found injured in the Hilly Fields area of Enfield, north London, on Wednesday following a manhunt that lasted several hours.
