Tribute paid to fire death jockey

The fire happened during a party in the building

Tributes have been paid to an apprentice jockey from Angus who was killed in a suspected arson attack in North Yorkshire on Saturday.

The woman, understood to be 19-year-old Jan Wilson, died along with fellow apprentice Jamie Kyne, in a blaze in a block of flats, in Norton, near Malton.

A man arrested by police in connection with the Saturday morning fire has been released on conditional bail.

Friends praised Ms Wilson for following her dream to become a jockey.

She left home for the Newmarket-based British Racing School two years ago and took up a job as an apprentice jockey in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, last December.

Kevin Darley, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, said in a statement that racing was united in grief.

'Proud of you'

The former champion jockey said: "To lose two very talented riders in these circumstances is tragic.

"Jamie Kyne and Jan Wilson were well on their way in their careers as jockeys.

"The thoughts of everyone in the weighing-room go out to their family and friends."

North Yorkshire Police said it was not in a position to identify the two victims despite names being widely reported in the media.

Ms Wilson had been due to ride Imperial Sword, owned by her mother Margaret, at Thirsk. The horse was declared a non-runner on Saturday morning.

Mrs Wilson, of Greenhead Farm, Rescobie, said of reports her daughter had been a victim of the blaze: "It hasn't been confirmed. We are waiting to find out."

But friends of Ms Wilson left tributes to her on a social networking site. One wrote: "I am so proud of you for following your dream, you did it, you did become a jockey. I will never forget you, rest in peace."

Ms Wilson enjoyed the third adult victory of her career at Ayr races just four weeks ago.

At the scene of the blaze, a number of people came to lay tributes as those living around the flats complex spoke warmly of the two victims.

Darren Rushworth, landlord of the nearby Derwent Arms, said both Mr Kyne and Ms Wilson came into his pub and were well liked.

Of Mr Kyne, he said: "He was a very likeable lad. He had a great sense of humour and everyone liked him.

"He would come in here a lot, like many of the racing people, and he was a lovely bloke."

Asked about Miss Wilson, Mr Rushworth said she was a "lovely young girl".

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