Tributes were being paid today to jockey Paul Burke, who died at the age of 35 following a road accident in the United States.

Mr Burke was a much-loved character in the North Yorkshire racing communities of Malton and Middleham, where he was based at different stages in his career.

The Teesside-born Flat jockey, who rode about 200 winners in this country and overseas, came joint second in the Apprentice Championship to Alan Munro during the 1980s.

Mr Burke was apprenticed to Mick Lambert's yard near Malton and rode for many trainers, including Colin Tinkler, Mark Johnston and James Fanshawe.

But his light weight - only 7st 7lb - proved a handicap when it came to being offered quality rides.

Mr Burke went to the United States three years ago and joined Michael Dickenson's stable for six months before moving on to a breaking yard, where young horses were schooled and prepared for sales.

The job involved a great deal of travelling, and he was making a journey in the back of a horse transporter when he was involved in the road accident which killed him.

Mr Burke's great friend, Andrew Bottomley, son of former trainer John Bottomley, said: "Everyone is shocked and saddened. Paul was such a loveable character - a one-off who loved working with and riding horses.

"He also wanted to see the world and rode in Japan, India and Dubai, where he rode a big winner, Bonny Scot. He was a very brave and talented rider."

Tom O'Ryan, Malton-based racing correspondent for the Evening Press and the Racing Post, said: "I knew Paul fairly well. I worked with him, so it's a big shock. It's a tragedy, really, for anybody to lose their life at 35."

Mr O'Ryan said: "He was a good lad and very popular in the town. He did very well while he worked for Keith Stone, who was training in Malton when I knew him, and he rode quite a few winners.

"We had lost contact with him a little bit in recent years. But it isn't that long ago that he was here and I'm sure everybody remembers him and will be thinking what a good lad he was."

Rosemary Carter, secretary of Malton Racing Association, said: "Everybody is shocked by this terrible news. It's just appalling when something like this happens - such a terrible waste of a young life."

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