A WEST Oxfordshire racehorse trainer and his staff are in mourning after the sudden death of a stable lad.

Kyle Johnson, who worked for trainer John Gallagher at Grove Farm Stables, in Chastleton, near Chipping Norton, was on his way back to the yard from his family’s home in Yorkshire on Monday, 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 father in Rotherham over the weekend and was passing through Derby at the time he collapsed.

Mr Gallagher said the 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 three sisters, had been working at the yard since the end of last year.

Many of the horses he looked after were winners on the track.

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

His funeral is being held on Friday in Yorkshire.