TOM O’Ryan, universally respected in the racing world and arguably the most popular member of the northern pressroom, has died from lung cancer at the age of 61.

O’Ryan was a gifted writer and broadcaster, winning the Racing Journalist of the Year Award in 2002, but many were often unaware of his talents as a jockey.

Weighing barely six stones as a 16-year-old, he was one of the leading apprentices of his era and rode big names such as Alverton and Gunner B.

He also partnered the likes of Sea Pigeon, Night Nurse and Little Owl on the gallops, days which left him with a fund of stories, about the Easterbys in particular, which he told with beautifully dry, understated wit, at racing functions.

Rising weight forced him to turn his hand to journalism and he became the Racing Post’s northern correspondent, eventually moving into television as a presenter and pundit for Racing UK.

He never gave up the saddle entirely and continued to ride work for Richard Fahey, guiding the early careers of many aspiring jockeys.

Some years ago he suffered life-threatening injuries in a bizarre accident on the farm at home but he fought back with typical resilience and determination.

He was a man incapable of making a fuss, his voice always a gentle murmur, never a strident blast.

He was, in short, a gentleman of the old school who worked hard, never complained and helped out wherever he could. It is hard to imagine a York Dante or Ebor meeting without him.

He leaves his wife Wendy and brother Robin, who is assistant to Fahey.