JACK of all trades, master of precisely none. That’s how Tom O’Ryan described himself. We and the entire racing industry would beg to differ. Tom, who died on Tuesday, was a great jockey in his time, and an equally great award-winning racing correspondent for this newspaper.

The voice of the north, as he was affectionately known, Tom also selflessly gave his time to bring on the next generation of jockeys and was a much loved figure throughout the racing world.

Not bad for a Jack of all trades and a master of precisely none.

A courteous man and a true gent, Tom O’Ryan will be sadly missed by all.