Tributes have been paid to jockey Alex Canchari following his unexpected death on Wednesday at the age of 29.
Canchari, who had a wife and two children, had ridden more than 1,000 winners of earnings in excess of £24 million in the US and came from a family of jockeys. His last ride was in October last year at Prairie Meadows in Iowa.
The terrible news was confirmed by his sister Ashley in a post on Facebook which said: "My heart physically hurts. I’m so sorry you were in so much pain Alex and thought there was no other way out.
“I know you’re happy again with Dad. I don’t even know what else to say, this is an unbelievable loss.”
Canchari’s father Luis became a jockey and trainer after moving to the US from Peru. He passed away three years ago.
His brother Patrick was also a successful jockey until he was critically injured when he was hit by another car while driving to a race meeting in 2020, which has left him with a brain injury.
John Velazquez, who sent prayers, and Florent Geroux who wrote: "RIP my good friend.", were among the top jockeys to express their sorrow.
Trainer John Ortiz said: “RIP. Alex u are a great person. Keep smiling down on us from heaven. U are already deeply missed.”
Canterbury Park racecourse in Shakopee, Minnesota, where Canchari grew up and enjoyed a lot of success, wrote on Twitter : “Alex Canchari achieved his dream as a jockey, following in the footsteps of his father and brother.
“The news of this genuine young man’s death has deeply saddened the Canterbury Park family.”
