Sunday, December 22, 2024

Horse racing world rallies behind John Hunt with black armbands and minute’s silence

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The horse racing world has united behind BBC commentator John Hunt after his wife and two daughters were tragically killed earlier this week.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that Hunt’s wife and two daughters were the victims of a terrible crossbow attack at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.


Mother Carol, 61, and daughters Louise and Hannah, aged 25 and 28 respectively, were found fatally injured the night before.

Louise’s ex-boyfriend, Kyle Clifford, has been detained by police and remains in hospital after being found by armed police following a big manhunt.

The horse racing world has united behind BBC commentator John Hunt after his wife and two daughters were tragically killed earlier this week

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On Thursday, at Kempton Park Racecourse, jockeys wore black armbands to show support for Hunt.

There was also a minute’s silence for his family, too, with the BBC Radio Five Live commentator working for the broadcaster for the past 20 years.

Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk is also set to hold a minute’s silence later on Thursday to pay tribute to the victims.

Mark Chapman, who works with Hunt, sent an emotional message to his colleague while covering England’s Euro 2024 win over the Netherlands on Thursday.

“Good evening from Germany, we have a football match to bring you tonight and we will do and we will start our build-up to it shortly,” he said.

“But this has been a heartbreaking day, John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just to the current 5 Live Sport team but all of those who worked here with him over the past 20 years and also to all of you who have enjoyed his superb commentaries.

“So on behalf of everybody connected to 5 Live Sport, our love, thoughts and support are with John and his family.”

John Murray, another broadcaster for the BBC, added: “There is no one at BBC Sport more supportive and enthusiastic than John.

“All of us send or love to John and his family.”

The BBC shared a message to staff on Wednesday describing the tragedy as ‘utterly devastating’.

The note read: “The news today about John Hunt’s family is utterly devastating.

“Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can.”

Johh Hunt

John Hunt’s wife was tragically killed earlier this week

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In Bushey, more than 50 friends and members of the local community HAVE attended a special service at St James’s Church.

Mourners paid tribute to Carol, Louise and Hannah.

Lea Holloway, a childhood friend of Carol Hunt, has said she will miss her friend ‘like crazy’.

“I’ll miss Carol like crazy,” she said, per the BBC.

John Hunt racing

Horse racing jockeys at Kempton have rallied behind John Hunt by wearing black armbands and taking part in a minute’s silence

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“We were really close friends. I met her when she was quite young and we grew up together and we were pregnant at the same time. She was a sweet, kind girl who always thought about family – very family orientated.

“Just a lovely, lovely girl. It’s the thing nightmares are made of.

“I feel for their oldest daughter and John. I can’t imagine what it must feel like.

“She was the nicest, kindest, sweetest person you could ever meet.”

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