Group 1-winning jockey Dean Holland has died after a sickening race fall in country Victoria, leaving the racing world in shock.
The 34-year-old was riding Tony McEvoy gelding Headingley in the first race at Donald, 280km north-west of Melbourne, when he was involved in a fall described by onlookers as ‘sickening’.
Holland was thrown to the turf when the three-year-old gelding moved sharply to the inside rail before falling as the field turned for home at the top of the straight.
Alana Kelly and her mount Time to Rumble were then also brought down, with the full force and weight of both horses appear to land on Holland, who remained prone on the turf.
Miraculously, both mounts appear to have avoided injury, and ran away from the scene, while Kelly was able to walk back to the scales.
Group 1-winning jockey Dean Holland was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition after a sickening race fall in country Victoria, and, tragically, has since died
Jockey Alana Kelly (centre, pink and blue silks) was also brought down in the fall, with Holland unseen under the first horse
Holland was racing at Donald in country Victoria, which is 280km north-west of Melbourne
Holland was treated on-course by medical personnel, before being airlifted to a Melbourne hospital in a critical condition.
Victoria Police confirmed his death just after 4pm. He leaves behind a wife and four children.
‘Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a jockey in Donald,’ a police statement said.
‘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.’
The veteran jockey has ridden 1080 winners during a superb career, which includes Group 1 wins in the Newmarket Handicap in March and Australasian Oaks in Adelaide, where he cut his teeth as a rider.
The meeting was abandoned after the fall, with the racing world in complete shock and devastation at the tragic death of Holland.
Holland, pictured at Randwick on Queen Elizabeth Stakes day earlier this month, leaves behind a wife and four children
One punter implored other racing fans to remember just how dangerous the caper is.
‘Many see the life of a jockey as glamorous and well paid but, whilst that might be true for a minority, it’s bloody hard work. Early morning for track work, trials, having to watch your weight, riding highly strung thoroughbreds in races,’ he wrote.
‘Dean Holland went to work this morning and he’s not going home tonight. Commiserations to his family and friends. May he Rest In Peace.’
One punter called it the ‘most sickening fall I have seen’, with another writing it was ‘so sad to see this happening far too often’ – after a spate of very serious race falls involving superstar riders Jamie Kah and Craig Williams, as well as top hoops Ethan Brown and Teo Nugent in the last few months.
Holland’s sickening fall comes after a spate of serious incidents of late, with superstar hoop Jamie Kah suffering a significant head injury following a fall on March 12
It started with Ethan Brown suffering internal injuries after a fall in the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on March 4, before Kah and Craig Williams were rushed to hospital after a horrifying fall in the Sires Produce Stakes on March 12.
Kah’s head injury was so significant (though she has been cleared of brain bleeding and fractures, she remains in hospital) partner Ben Melham said she had to be ‘heavily sedated to allow her brain to rest’ after the accident.
Williams’ injury list was also significant, suffering a fractured collarbone, broken ribs, fractured finger and concussion as a result of the fall.
Just a week later, Teo Nugent was left with a fractured C1 vertebrae and his mount Florescent Star had to be euthanized after being involved with a nasty fall on All Star Mile day at Mooney Valley.