RACING: The Turf Club said yesterday it intended to further focus its efforts on racecourse safety following the death of Kieran Kelly.

The organisation's chief executive Denis Egan described Kelly's death as "a freak accident with tragic consequences" but added the incident would be examined closely.

"It was a very unusual incident in that there were only six left in the race by the time of the fall and one horse careered into another.

"Sometimes in a race like the Grand National you see a jockey fall and 30 horses go over him with no consequences.

"We are continuously reviewing the safety procedures at all tracks and after what has happened we will re-double our efforts. But after looking at a video of the race it looks like a freak accident that has had tragic consequences," he said.

Egan also said that the controversial ambulance track at Kilbeggan was passed by an inspection team two weeks ago with no problems.

Last May, Kilbeggan were denied a licence to race because the ambulance track, on which an ambulance follows all races, was deemed to be unsuitable.

After changes were made, a licence was later granted and racing went ahead as scheduled this summer.

In 2002, two jockeys picked up serious injuries at the Co Westmeath course. Stephen Curtis broke his back and John Cullen broke his neck in separate incidents. Both are now back race riding.

As a mark of respect to the late jockey, racing scheduled for Tramore today has been postponed to Monday. A minute's silence was also observed at the five British meetings held yesterday as the racing community was trying to come to terms with Kelly's death.

Charlie Swan, the former champion jockey, said: "It is heart-breaking. Kieran was a real gentleman and always sought my advice on how he could improve his riding. I'm devastated by his death."

The current champion jockey Paul Carberry added: "Kieran was a lovely lad who was always in great form. We all feel this in the jockey's room."

In Britain, the champion trainer Martin Pipe, for whom Kelly rode Dark Stranger in the 2001 Grand National, was full of praise for the jockey.

"He was a very talented jockey and someone I had a lot of respect for. He first rode for us in the Grand National two years ago and his death is a great shock to us all," he said.

Trainer Martin Brassil, who supplied Kelly with his last winner, Barrack Buster on Friday night, said: "It is heart-breaking. He was a lovely man with a lovely manner and he was as brave as a lion."

Kieran Kelly's funeral will take place at Derrinturn Church, near Allenwood, Co Kildare, at 11.00 tomorrow morning. The removal will take place this evening, arriving at the church at 6.30.

The offices of the Turf Club and of Horse Racing Ireland (with the exception of the entries and declarations department) will remain closed on Friday until 1 p.m.