ONE of many accusations made towards horse racing is its inability to touch a wider audience.

Puzzling stats and terminology add weight to that theory – while the claim of insularity, that the sport is some kind of mysterious closed shop, is perhaps the most damning indictment.

As evidenced at Beverley, a weakness can sometimes be alchemised into a strength.

United in grief, yet resilient in purpose, the racing fraternity rallied on the Westwood to ensure the bright lights of Jamie Kyne and Jan Wilson will forever be left undimmed.

This, after all, was the first meeting at Beverley since Kyne, 18, and Wilson, 19, died in a fire at a block of flats in Norton, near Malton.

"It's been a difficult afternoon," accepted Beverley chairman Charles Maxsted.

"All here at Beverley send our deepest sympathy to their families for their tragic loss."

Kyne's excellence at Beverley exacerbated the sense of loss felt by knowledgeable racegoers who had gathered for yesterday's well-attended, fixture.

The Irish-born rider secured five of his 29 triumphs in East Yorkshire, with Duchess Dora's success on August Bank Holiday Sunday the final time he was to ever visit the winner's enclosure.

Select Committee, trained by Kyne's boss, John Quinn, also played his part in the jockey's relentless quest for the top when the pair struck gold here in May.

Fittingly, the sharp sprinter returned to action yesterday for the Original Barrowboys Handicap, in which he finished seventh behind King Of Swords.

Mick Enright, spokesman for his owners, the Which Bits Mine Syndicate, said: "Jamie finished second on Select Committee in this race a year ago and even then we knew he was a star. Nobody was really bothered if we won today. John's yard is still in real shock and no-one can get over it."

On a day that celebrated the lives of two rising luminaries of the turf, it was appropriate star apprentice Frederik Tylicki should chalk up another winner.

Tylicki is embroiled in a compelling tussle with David Probert for the leading apprentices' title, and illustrated in the opening seller why his talents are so fervently sought after.

Riding Zelos Dream for Newmarket-based Rae Guest, the upwardly-mobile tyro bisected Powerful Pierre and Prettiest Star to score by a short head.

Halved into two divisions, the last two races on the card were entitled the Stars of the Future Apprentice Classified Stakes.

The irony was lost on no-one.