Stable lad, Michael Pitt, who worked for Warren Greatrex, Denis Coakley and Roger Teal, has been found dead in Hungerford

TRIBUTES from the horse racing community have been flooding in after stable lad Michael Pitt was found dead in Hungerford this week.

Thames Valley Police were called to the Co-op petrol station in Charnham Street after a body was found at 7am on Monday morning.

The death of the 19-year-old is currently being treated as "unexplained but not suspicious."

Mr Pitt rode out for Denis Coakley and 17 of his 26 career rides were for his yard in 2019.

He also worked at Roger Teal's yard in Lambourn while as an apprentice before joining Warren Greatrex as a stable lad where he has recently gained an amateur licence to ride over jumps.

On Tuesday the CEO of the Injured Jockeys Fund, Lisa Hancock, confirmed his death. She said: "It is with desperate sadness that we can confirm that former apprentice jockey Michael Pitt, 19, sadly passed away following a tragic accident on Sunday.

"His family are enormously appreciative of the many messages they are receiving, as are Warren and Tessa Greatrex, whose yard Michael was working at in Lambourn.

"The family would respectfully ask that no cards or flowers be sent but instead any donations go to the Injured Jockeys Fund or Racing Welfare."

A statement from Thames Valley Police on Monday read: "Officers were called to the Co-op petrol station in Charnham Street, Hungerford, just after 7am on Monday. Sadly, the body of a man was located. The man's next of kin have been made aware and are being supported at this time.

"The thoughts of Thames Valley Police are with the man's family and friends at this difficult time. The man's death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner."