Jockey Dean Holland dies from horror fall in Victoria, horse racing news, Donald

Dean Holland, 34, was riding Headingley in the Leading Teams 3YO Maiden Plate (1000m) at Donald about 1.30pm on Monday when his horse Headingley ducked sharply and fell as the field neared the final straight, crashing through a barrier.

Fellow jockey Alana Kelly then fell from her horse, Time To Rumble, which tripped over Headingley.

Kelly managed to walk away from the tumble, but Holland remained on the track and had to be treated by paramedics before they called for an air ambulance.

Victoria Police have confirmed Mr Holland’s death.

“He was worked on by paramedics but sadly died at the scene,” said a police spokesperson.

“Work Safe have been notified and will investigate. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

Racing Victoria (RV) has since released a statement, also confirming Mr Holland’s death, and confirming both horses involved were unharmed.

“The race meeting was abandoned following the incident by order of RV Stewards who have also adjourned an inquiry into the incident to a date to be fixed,” read the statement.

“Tomorrow’s ANZAC Day race meetings at Flemington and Moe will not proceed as programmed … a further update on the reprogramming of any races will follow in due course.”

While RV’s CEO Andrew Jones has offered prayers and condolences to Mr Holland’s family, friends, and colleagues.

“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,” said Mr Jones.

“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 (VJA) CEO Matt Hyland said Mr Hollan was a much-love member of the riding group in Victoria “and when he travelled interstate, and his fellow riders will all be shattered at the shock news of his passing as we at the VJA are.”

“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.”

Holland, originally from Adelaide, is the son of former jockey Darren Holland.

He leaves behind four children, all aged under five, and wife Lucy.

He was on the upswing of his career, having won the prestigious Newmarket Handicap group one race only weeks prior to his death.

Mr Holland was called up after fellow jockey Jamie Kah was injured in a fall earlier in the day at Flemington, along with Craig Williams in the same incident.

“First of all, what I didn’t want to do was carry on, win, lose or draw with what happened with Jamie [Kah] and Willo [Williams],” he said at the time.

“My thoughts go out to them.

“I’m just the lucky one that was able to ride light today and picked up the ride on one of Australia’s best sprinters.”

Mr Holland had ridden 82 winners in Victoria, and was fourth on the Victorian jockeys‘ premiership table.

A career highlight was winning the 2019 Adelaide Cup on Surprise Baby.

Before Monday, he had ridden on Saturday at Morphettville where he finished fourth on Seradess in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes.

Twenty-four-year-old jockey Teo Nugent suffered a fractured neck when he fell from his horse at Moonee Valley racecourse on March 18.

That incident happened just a week after jockeys Jamie Kah and Craig Williams were injured in a fall at Flemington.

In 2019, 22-year-old jockey Mikaela Claridge was killed when her horse was spooked during training at Cranbourne.

Donald is located about 280 km northwest of Melbourne on the Sunraysia Hwy.

Originally published as Jockey Dean Holland has died after two-horse fall during race