“WE’VE lost a good one” were the poignant words of tribute to the teenage jockey whose promising career ended in tragedy.

Speaking at 18-year-old Jamie Kyne’s funeral service, close friend Tom O’Ryan, said that Malton and Norton would never forget the young rider who always had, “a twinkle in his eye and a love of the craic”.

His words were echoed by Jamie’s father Gerard who stood up at the end of the service to say how everyone would remember his son’s brown eyes and cheeky smile.

“The people of Malton took him in as one of their own,” Mr Kyne added.

Speaking at the funeral service held at St Leonard and St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Malton, Mr O’Ryan said Jamie could “ride like a demon”.

“It was a huge honour and a privilege to have known him,” he said.

“Giving this address is the hardest thing I have ever had to do.”

Mr O’Ryan said jockeys were born, not made, and Jamie had been born to ride.

“He was a pure natural in the saddle, confident and fearless with a real passion for what he was doing.”

“Jamie was living his dream, but tragically that dream was cut short.”

Mr O’Ryan said Jamie’s family and friends should be very proud of him.

“He was something special with a God-given gift.

“Jamie was a shining star with a remarkable talent.”

Mr O’Ryan added that his family need look no further for evidence of Jamie’s popularity by the number of people who had attended the church service.

“Jamie was a one-off,” he said.

“Malton will never forget him.”

Hundreds of people from the world of racing and the local community attended the service to pay their respects alongside Jamie’s heartbroken family.

Readings were given by Jamie’s employer, trainer John Quinn and colleague Willie Dwan.

Mr Quinn’s son Sean read an emotional poem in memory of the young jockey.

Tributes were also given to fellow jockey Jan Wilson, 19, who died alongside Jamie in the fire at Buckrose Court in Norton in the early hours of Saturday, September 5.

Father Tim Bywater, who conducted the service, said that Jamie had been full of life and “living the dream”.

“He already had a string of impressive achievements and both Jamie and Jan represented what is best about their generation.”

The funeral service followed a vigil service on Wednesday evening attended by around 150 mourners.

Jamie’s coffin was carried to the church by six fellow jockeys and friends.

Father Bywater said the teenager’s family were devastated by what had happened but had found strength in the support from the local community.

“There has been a lot of distress and grief but also a great deal of dignity which was reflected at the service,” he added.

Following the service, Jamie’s body will be flown back to Ireland for burial in his home-town of Galaway.

He will be laid to rest in the colours he wore when riding Ishetoo, trained by Allan Dickman and owned by John Sissons, to the biggest success of his career at York in May.

The funeral service of Jan Wilson is expected to take place next week at Angus in Scotland.

* North Yorkshire Police are continuing their investigations into the fire and have appealed for any witnesses in the area at the time of the incident to come forward.

A 37-year-old local man was arrested following the tragedy and later released on conditional bail.