REBECCA Davies writes for the Hereford Times.

THE racing world was stunned last week to learn of the untimely death of trainer Richard Woollacott.

His wife, Kayley eloquently stated: "Sadly after battling it for many years, Richard lost his life to mental illness.”

Richard was just 40 years old and was making a real name for himself as a trainer, most notably saddling Beer Goggles to win the prestigious Ladbrokes Long World Hurdle at Newbury Racecourse in December under champion jockey Richard Johnson.

Little did his family, friends and the close-knit racing community realise that little over a month later, Richard would no longer be with us.

Whilst devastatingly it is too late for Richard, Kayley rightly believes that more can and should be done to help others.

It is so true that people with a broken leg or cancer diagnosis receive open sympathy and compassion, yet for mental illness, people either do not talk about it or those that listen perhaps do not know how best to respond.

Racing is fortunate to have strong and robust charities that offer confidential support, particularly Racing Welfare which provides support for the workforce of British racing that makes it happen.

Picking up the phone or speaking in person can often be the hardest thing, but in Richard’s memory I hope that others faced with a similar situation will find the strength and will to reach out for help.

Kayley set up a fund-raising page at Just Giving for Mind who raise awareness of the serious issue of mental health and encouraging people to speak up, as well as for the Injured Jockeys Fund and Devon Air Ambulance.

So far, over £26,000 has been raised and if you would like to donate you can do so at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SomeoneSpecial/RichardWoollacott

Whilst the racing community can bicker and fall out amongst itself as good as anyone, at times of adversity one of the industry’s greatest strengths is its camaraderie and resolve to pull together and support those in need.

Of course racing will carry on despite this latest loss of life and it was poignant that Richard Woolacott was at Hereford only a couple of weeks ago for a race meeting.

Monday’s fixture saw local winners for Richard Johnson and Kerry Lee, and now the racecourse focuses on our biggest raceday of the year, which is Ladies Day on Saturday, March 10.

Look out for what’s on offer that day in next week’s paper.