A racehorse owner has launched a fundraising campaign for Dean Holland's family, following the jockey's tragic death.
Tony Ottobre made a sizeable donation to kickstart the fund, which will assist the 34-year-old's widow and their four children.
Dozens of tributes have been paid to Holland, a Group 1-winning rider who died on Monday, while competing in Australia. He fell from his mount Headingley in a maiden race at Donald racecourse, when the horse ducked in and fell as the field entered the straight.
Another runner, Time to Rumble partnered by Alana Kelly, was brought down and medics were quickly at the scene. Kelly was able to walk back to the scales and the two horses involved in the incident appeared to escape injury.
Holland was airlifted to a hospital in Melbourne in a critical condition, but he sadly passed away from his injuries. The rest of the race meeting was abandoned and police are to prepare a report for the coroner.
Ottobre, a former apprentice jockey and owner, set up a fundraising campaign with a target of $500,000 – and in just a few hours, it had already reached $100,000.
"On behalf of the Jenni horses we would like to raise funds for Lucy and her 4 children, Dean Holland was an exceptional young man and taken far too soon, all monies will go to Lucy to help raise the children," he wrote.
Ottobre names his best horses Jenni to honour his late daughter, who died from cancer eight years ago. One of his string, Princess Jenni, won a Group 3 win at The Valley in 2019.
‘’The good horses we do call Jenni after our daughter who passed away in 2015 and we hope to keep her memory alive by naming the horses after her and this has been an absolute thrill and it gives us something to look forward to because when you lose a child, it’s pretty well devastating,’’ Ottobre told Racing.com at the time.
Holland rode 1,080 winners in his career, including top level wins in the Newmarket Handicap and Australasian Oaks. He was having his best campaign in the saddle and was in fourth place in the Victoria jockeys premiership with 82 wins.
Racing Victoria chief executive Andrew Jones said: "On behalf of the Victorian racing industry, I would like to extend our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Dean's partner Lucy, his children, his family, friends and colleagues on the incredibly sad news of his passing.
"It was a tragic accident at Donald today and we are all deeply shocked and saddened that Dean has passed away as a result of injuries sustained in the fall.
"Dean was a gifted lightweight rider who won over 1000 races and was highly respected by his peers. He showcased his immense talent on the biggest stage last month when winning the Group One Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
"Dean's passing is heartbreaking for all within Victorian racing and the sport nationally. It is a sobering reminder of the immense bravery of our riders."
Multiple Group 1-winning Australian jockey Craig Williams said: "Vale Dean Holland.
"We were saddened to hear the news of the passing of Dean Holland. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Dean’s family and friends during this difficult time. He was a respected jockey and a loving father. May he rest in peace."
Worldwide racing organisation Godolphin shared a picture of Holland after his big race win on their horse In Secret, trained by James Cummings.
"We are saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Dean Holland," a spokesperson said.
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to Lucy and their four children. Dean was the ultimate professional who was loved by many and will be deeply missed."
