TRIBUTES were paid today to a young apprentice jockey, who died after being kicked by a horse in the yard of a leading North Yorkshire trainer.

Phil Greally, 20, was struck on the head by the horse at Mick Easterby's yard, near Sheriff Hutton. He was taken to York Hospital, then Leeds General Infirmary, but medical staff were unable to revive him.

It is believed Mr Greally, who lived in Sheriff Hutton, had stumbled as he tended to a horse, and was accidentally kicked by another as it walked past him.

His parents, Colin and Sheila Greally, said their son was an "outgoing lad who had so much to live for".

Colin Greally said: "He was a very outgoing lad and to lose someone with so much to live for is cruel."

Mr Easterby said: "It was a tragic accident and is tragic news. The odds against it happening must be at least a billion to one."

Mr Easterby said the apprentice would be sadly missed at the yard.

"He was a wonderful boy. He had been here four-and-a-half years, we will miss him enormously. He worked hard, was good-natured, a brilliant, clean-living lad. He had showed great promise as a conditional jockey on the flat and was getting a bit heavier so he was going to go to National Hunt racing."

Elaine Wiles, a representative of the Injured Jockeys' Fund, has been with Mr and Mrs Greally since the accident.

She said today: "They are coping as well as can be expected. Philip was a hard-working lad who loved his horses, which is how I am sure they would like him to be remembered."

Mr Greally was injured on December 21, and spent five days in hospital. He never regained consciousness and died on December 27. Originally from Newcastle, he was a graduate of the Northern Racing College. He took part in 14 races on the flat.

The coroner was being informed about the accident today and the Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation.

Last July, stablegirl Anne Blanchard was badly injured in an accident at the Malton yard of Tim Easterby, Mick's nephew.

But after major surgery, including a tracheotomy, at York Hospital, she went on to make a full recovery.

Updated: 13:01 Monday, December 30, 2002