GEORGE TOWN, July 14 — The racing fraternity was left in a state of shock yesterday with news of the tragedy which befell one of the industry’s champion jockeys and his son.

Chung Wah Thong, also known as W.T. Chung, 28, was described as likeable and friendly.

"He had been a championship jockey on more than one occasion,” former media racing correspondent Ram "Go Ram” Derayan told Malay Mail.

"Normally we always fear jockeys falling off their mounts during a race.

"This tragedy has come as a shock to all of us in the industry, and it’s more sad [sic] that his child also fell victim in the incident.”

Ram, now president of Malaysia Jockeys Welfare Association and JR Gallop Horseracing Club, said he had known Chung for more than five years since he decided to take to the saddle as an apprentice jockey.

He was one of the young talents much sought after by horse owners and trainers at turf clubs in Ipoh, Penang and Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, Ram said.

"Chung was a well-respected jockey. He was friendly. If anybody needed help, he would go out of the way to assist,” he said.

"He was that kind of person. Many in the horse racing industry will miss him.”

Chung was awakened by screams from the ground floor of the double storey home-office container in the compound of a poultry processing factory in Batu Maung.

Cradling his two-year-old son, Ay Dey, he came down the stairs and walked into a fiery argument, police said.

Chung and his son were found in a pool of blood at the staircase landing. Investigators and forensic experts concluded they were the last to have been fatally shot.

Perak Turf Club general manager-cum-secretary Soo Lai Kwok said Chung was a friendly and talkative person who had many friends.

"He was an easy going person and made friends quickly. He was always cheerful and dedicated to his profession,” he said.

During his career, which spanned over five years, he won 30 races with prize money totalling RM1.2 million.

He also bagged the Selangor Gold Cup Group One championship race last year with the mount Beautiful Choice and the 2013 Sultan Gold Vase in Perak when riding Joe Czarina, with prize money totalling RM750,000.

Ram said Chung had not been riding since March after he was suspended for one year for his handling of Real Hero in a race at the Kranji Turf Club, Singapore.