A COTSWOLD racehorse trainer and his staff are in mourning after the sudden death of a popular young stable lad.

Kyle Johnson, who worked for trainer John Gallagher, at Grove Farm Racing Stables, in Chastleton, near Moreton, was on his way back to the yard on July 22 when he came off his motorbike after suffering a brain aneurysm.

The 20-year-old had been at a motorcycle event with his dad in Rotherham over the weekend and was travelling back through Derby at the time of the incident.

Mr Gallagher said his death came as a complete shock to everyone at the yard.

“He was with us for nearly a year and was a really nice lad – a really good working lad,” he said.

“He loved his horses and loved motorbikes. He was really close to his family. His dad was his best friend and used to come down every weekend that he was here.

“There was no previous history on what killed him.

There was an off-duty paramedic and nurse just behind him when it happened and they said he wasn’t speeding.

“It obviously happened and he came off his bike. It came as a bit of shock to everyone.

He’s going to be greatly missed and it’s a great loss for racing. He was a really keen, working lad. He enjoyed his horses and he enjoyed going racing.”

Kyle, who had been staying at the yard since the end of last year and had three sisters, loved the horses he worked with and many he looked after went on to be winners.

Mr Gallagher added: “He was very popular everywhere he went. I’m pleased he worked for us. He did a fantastic job.”

The funeral is being held on Friday, August 9, at St Mary’s Church, Greasbrough, Rotherham.

Instead of flowers, people can donate to the Northern Racing College, Doncaster, where Kyle attended.