Thousands mourn fallen SA jockey Dean Holland at his funeral
Thousands of people across SA and Victoria have mourned fallen jockey Dean Holland at his memorial service, with the ex-Adelaide husband remembered for his “cheerful, magnetic nature”.
SA News
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Former Adelaide jockey Dean Holland has been remembered for his cheeky demeanour – but when it came to racing, it was “game on”.
The father-of-four grew up in SA and won the Adelaide Cup in 2015 and 2019.
He died last month at age 34 from injuries sustained in a race fall in country Victoria.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at Morphettville Racing Course on Monday for a public memorial service, which included a live-stream of the emotional funeral at Flemington, where thousands lined the famous straight in Holland’s memory.
An awe-inspiring 15 minutes passed as 2000 mourners, family, friends, jockeys, trainers, stewards, racing administrators and club staff, stood shoulder to shoulder along the inside rail from the winning post to the home bend — the best part of 450m.
As people stood in silence a faint rainbow appeared and disappeared behind a mournful grey sky in a remarkable but fitting tribute to a man, partner, father, brother, son, brother, nephew and gifted horseman who won hearts with a “cheerful, humble and magnetic nature”.
As the ceremony started, in Morphettville the room was grew silent as One Direction’s Story of My Life played.
The atmosphere remained sombre as sentimental speeches, a eulogy and heartwarming tributes were read by Holland’s loved ones, including his uncle Scott Holland, and sister Kristie Arnel.
Racing SA’s jockey coach and long-term friend Dean Pettit said Holland was “respected, admired and appreciated”.
“He had that cheeky demeanour, but when it came to the races … it was game on. He knew his job, he knew what he needed to do and executed it really well,” Mr Pettit said.
“He spoke well, (was) very well admired by his peers and well respected by trainers and owners.”
Mr Pettit – who knew Holland for about 15 years – said his level of professionalism would leave a lasting memory.
“He would turn up on time and conduct himself in such a great manner and he was very admired and respected,” he said
“That word respect is not easy in racing, you’ve got to earn it and he certainly did earn it.”
Mr Pettit said his favourite memory with Mr Holland, was when he won the Adelaide Cup.
“I was interviewing Dean after he won the race and he had a big smile. I knew what it meant to him being an Adelaide boy,” he said.
“His father had been a big role model to him throughout his career. So, as a local Cup winner, it meant a lot and I was thrilled to be next to him on that day.”
He said SA’s racing community would “put their arms around each other, support each other and get through it together” after Holland’s death.
Racing SA’s industry operation welfare manager John Cornell said Holland’s death had left a “huge hole”.
“It’s a huge loss to the people in the industry. Even though we know we’re dealing with a very dangerous sport, you’re never actually prepared for this,” Mr Cornell said.
“It was unexpected and it just left a great hole in a lot people. He was an outstanding person and talent, he was just starting to show the world how good he was.”
Mr Cornell said he would be remembered for the “great person that he was.”
“He had a cheeky, mischievous sort of style about him.”
Relative Caroline, who declined to provide her surname, said she will cherish and remember Mr Holland as a “family man.”
“I know that he had a wonderful career, but like all of his family said, the thing that brought him the most joy was his wife and his kids,” Caroline said.
“He was just a really good human being and you could see the joy in his life.”
A GoFundMe campaign for Holland’s family – partner Lucy Clampin and their four young children – has raised more than $1.7m which will be converted into the Dean Holland Family Trust established by Racing Victoria.
Racing SA is also contributing $25,000 to the trust to support Holland’s young family.
The top jockey’s partner, Lucy Clampin, and parents Belinda and Darren Holland issued a heartbreaking statement last month.
“Grief is completely overwhelming us after losing our beloved Dean … at Donald races,” the statement said.
“We are aware of thousands who are sharing our pain as we come to the reality we have lost a once-in-a-lifetime person, a much loved partner, an amazing father of four beautiful young children in Harley, Luca, Frankie and Lily, as well as a special brother and a wonderful son.
“The outpouring of love for Dean and the care and support for us is helping us deal with our loss.
“We are thinking of Dean’s colleagues in the jockeys room as well as all in our industry that he loved so much.
“Finally, as a family, we ask that we be given the privacy we need at this time as we begin to come to terms with our loss.”
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