THE grieving Taunton girlfriend of tragic jockey Keagan Kirkby has paid an emotional tribute to him.

Emily Burge ran onto the course after Keagan fell from his horse in the fateful point-to-point meeting that claimed his life.

Keagan, 25, who rode for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, based at Ditcheat, in Somerset, was thrown from his horse while racing at Charing, in Kent, at the weekend.

Emily, 21, who was at the event, rushed to be with Keagan as he lay dying.

She was quoted in the Daily Mail as saying: "They thought he was winded but when I got there they had put green screens around him.

"He was not conscious but I told him I loved him before he was declared dead.

'"He died doing something he loved."

Emily has since posted a message to Keagan on social media saying: "I never thought in a million years I would find someone like you who cared and looked after me the way you did.

"I'm absolutely heartbroken and always will be.

"You were the light at the end of a long week at work.

"We had so many plans over the summer to go to the Lakes and show you where I grew up to in Exmoor.

"I know I will always been your doughnut and you will always be my princess.

"I'm so sorry and I will love you forever.

"Lots of love Em and Mabel. Forever and always keag."

Jockeys racing at Taunton Racecourse today (Tuesday, February 6) led spectators in a minute's silence to mark Keagan's passing.