Racing world rallies behind BBC commentator John Hunt

The horse racing world has shown its support for John Hunt after his wife and two daughters were tragically killed earlier this week.

On Wednesday, Hunt’s wife and two daughters were revealed as the victims of a deadly crossbow attack at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.

Mother Carol, 61, and daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, were found fatally injured on Tuesday night, before they later died at the scene.

Kyle Clifford, the ex-boyfriend of Louise, is the suspect who has been detained and he remains in hospital after being found by armed police in Enfield with injuries following a huge manhunt.

And on Thursday, jockeys at Kempton Park Racecourse wore black armbands to show support for Hunt, who has been BBC Radio Five Live’s racing commentator for the past 20 years, after the devastating incident.

Jockeys at Kempton Park Racecourse wore black armbands to show support for John Hunt

The racing world is rallying around Hunt and a minute’s silence will be held at Newmarket

Hunt has been BBC Five Live’s racing commentator for the past 20 years. His wife and two daughters were revealed as the victims of a horrific crossbow attack at their home on Tuesday

Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk is also set to hold a minute’s silence on Thursday afternoon in memory of the victims.

The BBC’s Mark Chapman had sent a moving message to Hunt as he began the build-up to England’s Euro 2024 semi-final clash with the Netherlands last night.

‘Good evening from Germany, we have a football match to bring you tonight and we will do and we will start our build-up to it shortly,’ Chapman began.

‘But this has been a heartbreaking day, John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just to the current 5 Live Sport team but all of those who worked here with him over the past 20 years and also to all of you who have enjoyed his superb commentaries.

‘So on behalf of everybody connected to 5 Live Sport, our love, thoughts and support are with John and his family.’

BBC broadcaster John Murray added: ‘There is no one at BBC Sport more supportive and enthusiastic than John.

‘All of us send or love to John and his family.’

In a message shared with BBC 5 Live staff on Wednesday, the broadcaster labelled the incident as ‘utterly devastating’.

Suspect Kyle Clifford, 26, who had allegedly split from Louise Hunt last week, was found hiding and injured in a cemetery in Enfield on Wednesday afternoon and is currently in hospital

Louise is the ex-girlfriend of the crossbow suspect, with the pair allegedly spitting last week

Hannah Hunt, 28, and mother Carol Hunt, 61, were also killed in the tragic attack on Tuesday 

The note read: ‘The news today about John Hunt’s family is utterly devastating.

‘Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can.’

In harrowing details of the tragedy that have since been released, police sources said the three women were tied up before being shot in a ‘targeted attack’ that may have also included ‘other weapons’.

Suspect Clifford, 26, who allegedly split from Louise last week, was then found hiding and injured in a cemetery in Enfield on Wednesday afternoon after seemingly shooting himself with the crossbow.