Australian jockey Dean Holland has died after suffering critical injuries in a horror fall.
Holland was riding gelding Headingley, trained by Tony McEvoy, in the first race of the day at Donald, 173 miles north-west of Melbourne. But he was brought down in a sickening fall at the start of the home straight as he challenged for the lead of the race.
Headingley came across the track before falling and slamming into the barrier, with the crash also bringing down Time To Rumble. The horses smashed several fence posts and both appeared to land on the stricken Holland who had been thrown off Headingley.
Medics rushed to treat Holland on the course, with an air ambulance also dispatched to the track. He was airlifted to a hospital in Melbourne in a critical condition but sadly died, with the police now set to prepare a report for the coroner. The race meeting was abandoned.
"Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a jockey in Donald," a Victoria Police statement said as they confirmed Holland's tragic death.
"The male was riding in a race at a track on Racecourse Road when he fell around 1.30pm. He was worked on by paramedics but sadly died at the scene. Work Safe have been notified and will investigate. The death is not being treated as suspicious. "
A veteran jockey, Holland was just 34 when he died and leaves behind a wife and four children. He rode 1,080 winners over his career, including Group 1 wins in the Newmarket Handicap in March and Australasian Oaks in Adelaide, and he had 82 winners this season in Victoria.
That win at Newmarket came on star filly In Secret, with the victory being the biggest moment of his career. Time To Rumble jockey Alana Kelly was also thrown from her mount, but was able to return to the scales.
The two horses involved in the incident appear to have escaped injury, with the duo both jumping back up and running away. Jockeys and stewards agreed to cancel the rest of the day's running, with tributes for Holland pouring in from fans.
One fan tweeted: “RIP Dean Holland, absolutely tragic. Will be forever remembered, thoughts go out to his family.” Another added: “Condolences to Dean Holland's family. Taken too soon.”
A third said: “Devastating news on the tragic accident of Dean Holland. Sincere condolences for all his family and friends. Jockeys are courageous people who risk their lives every time they jump on the back of a horse while pursuing their dreams. Dean was a genuinely loverly guy.”
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