Dual group one winning Victorian jockey Dean Holland has died following a horror fall during a race at a country meet in the state’s north-west.
Police confirmed Holland was competing in the first race at the Donald racecourse on Monday when he fell from his horse Headingly. The three-year-old gelding trained by Tony McEvoy was having his second start when he appeared to suddenly veer and crash through the running rail.
Jockey Dean Holland riding horse Carolina Sunrise at a meeting at Ballarat in March. Credit: Getty
Paramedics worked on the 34-year-old, but he died at the scene.
Race stewards in Donald abandoned the meeting after Holland’s fall. Jockey Alana Kelly’s mount Time to Rumble was also brought down in the fall, but she escaped uninjured. The horses were not badly hurt.
WorkSafe has been notified and will investigate the incident. Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Racing Victoria and the Donald Racing Club will assist with WorkSafe’s investigation.
The 34-year-old Holland, who is survived by his wife, Lucy, and four children, had his career highlight just a month ago after riding the James Cummings Godolphin-trained In Secret to victory in the group one Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
He earned the ride after leading jockeys Jamie Kah and Craig Williams were involved in a fall earlier that day, and a replacement jockey was needed for Kah’s ride In Secret.
Racing Victoria and the Victorian Jockeys Association are working together to provide counselling and support for Holland’s family and employees, a statement confirmed.
“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,” Racing Victoria boss Andrew Jones said.
“It was a tragic accident at Donald today and we are all are 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 1 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.”
Victorian Jockeys Association chief Matt Hyland also extended his condolences to Holland’s family.
“Together with Racing Victoria, the Jockey Assistance Program will be wrapping its arms around the riding group and will be working to support Lucy and the Holland family both now and importantly into the future.”
Godolphin boss Vin Cox was shocked to hear the news of Holland’s death and pledged support for the family.
“It’s quite hard to put into words just how devastated we are hearing about this tragedy. He was a gifted horseman, but most importantly, a principled young man of the highest quality,” Cox said. “We are absolutely gutted at Godolphin to hear this news and will do everything we can, with the racing community, to support Lucy and his beautiful young family.”
The tragedy follows a spate of recent race falls with three incidents in successive weeks during March at metropolitan meetings involving senior jockeys Kah, Williams, Ethan Brown, Mark Zahra and Teo Nugent.
The statement released by Racing Victoria encouraged members of the racing industry to utilise the free and confidential counselling service STABLELINE on 1300 530 122.
