'Mum you are truly an inspiration in so many ways': Family lead tributes to Sussex trainer

Zoe Davison simply loved horses - and the horses loved her / Picture courtesy of Simon Clare

Zoe, who was 60, passed away on Sunday about an hour after her yard had completed a double at Plumpton, one of her favourite courses. Family and colleagues at Shovelstrode stables in East Grinstead are devastated - yet lifted by the many messages that have flooded in from people in the world of racing.

Her daughter Gemelle, a former jockey who worked with her mum training horses, wrote: Where do I start?! Firstly I would really like to say thank you to everyone for all your well wishes and support. I know mum would be overwhelmed by the messages.

"It is the hardest thing in the world saying goodbye to your mum, best friend and work partner. Mum you are truly an inspiration in so many ways, your strength fighting through this awful disease. Not once did you complain, not once did you feel sorry for yourself. You went through life with a smile on your face, the horses were and always will be all of you.

"I hope that people can appreciate what you achieved with the horses you had over the years. Most people would turn their heads away, but you being you would take them under your wing, to try and guide them to success.

"Thank you for all the years of enjoyment together, especially when I was riding. We're going to carry on what you started, and hope that one day we might get a Saturday horse that you'd always dreamed of. Goodnight mum, I will never stop loving you. You really are my hero."

Racing in mourning after trainer Zoe passes away.

Zoe's husband Andy Irvine tweeted a photo of Zoe with the message: "My beautiful best friend, with, and soul mate, I love you."

Zoe Davison pictured at an Injured Jockeys' Fund event at Plumpton / Picture by Jackie Irvine

Jockey Page Fuller, who rode for Zoe's stable, tweeted: "I don’t think words could ever describe what a kind, strong and supportive women you were. You were such a horsewoman and your patience was so frequently rewarded with tricky horses. My thoughts are with everyone at Shovelstrode but they did you proud today, thank you Zoe."

Racing PR man Simon Clare, a close friend of the family, said: "It is hard to find the words to describe how wonderful Zoe Davison was both as a brilliant trainer of racehorses, and as a loving wife, mother and amazing friend to so many people. My life was so much richer for having her in it I will miss her desperately."