Tributes pour in for jockey Dean Holland, 34, after fatal fall at Donald racetrack
The shattered family of jockey Dean Holland has paid tribute to the “once in a lifetime person”, following his tragic death at Donald racetrack.
Victoria
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The devastated family of jockey Dean Holland has described him as a “once in a lifetime person” in the aftermath of his tragic death.
“Grief is completely overwhelming us after losing our beloved Dean yesterday at Donald races,” wife Lucy Clampin and parents Darren and Belinda said in a statement on Tuesday.
The family said the past 24 hours had been overwhelming, acknowledging that thousands of others in the racing industry were also in pain, mourning Dean’s loss.
“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 statement said.
“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.”
Holland, 34, was thrown to the ground when his mount Headingley veered into the rails at Donald, 280km northwest of Melbourne, on Monday.
It was a 1000m three-year-old maiden plate.
He died at the scene and could not be revived.
CEO of the Victorian Jockeys Association Matthew Hyland said it had been a “terrible” two days for all who knew Dean.
“He was a very popular guy within the whole group,” Mr Hyland told the Herald Sun.
“It has been terrible, it has hit the group hard. They are all very close and the group is struggling. It is extremely raw.”
Mr Hyland said the association was in “support mode” with its jockey’s assistance program.
“You can’t comprehend the impact this has had, everyone is in absolute shock,” he said.
“Many of the jockeys have young families, they go to work to do a job. No one expects this to happen.”
The riding group were expected to have a quiet drink together on Tuesday to mourn their colleague, after races at Flemington and Moe were cancelled.
Racing community rallies around jockey’s family
More than a quarter of a million dollars has been raised the Holland family after Dean’s tragic death.
By 11am Tuesday, a GoFundMe launched in the aftermath of the tragedy had raised $261,946 for Mr Holland’s family.
“We would like to raise funds for Lucy and her four children,” fundraiser organiser Tony Ottobre said.
“Dean Holland was an exceptional young man and taken far too soon, all monies will go to Lucy to help raise the children.”
It comes as the racing world struggles to make sense of the sudden tragedy.
Frightening scenes played out as racehorse Headingley came down at the top of the home straight, causing a second racehorse Time to Rumble to also fall down.
Mr Holland and fellow jockey Alana Kelly both came off their horses.
Victoria Police said he died at the scene.
“He was worked on by paramedics but sadly died at the scene,” a police statement said.
“WorkSafe have been notified and will investigate.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
In a statement on Monday night, Racing Victoria confirmed Anzac Day race meets at Flemington and Moe had been cancelled.
“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 chief executive Andrew Jones said.
“It was a tragic accident at Donald today and we are all 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 executive Matt Hyland said the organisation was “incredibly saddened” by the news.
“The VJA and our members are incredibly saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend Dean Holland and extend our heartfelt condolences to his partner Lucy, his four children and his wider family,” Mr Hyland said.
“Dean was a much-loved member of the riding group here in Victoria. 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.”
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Holland, son of former jockey Darren Holland, leaves behind wife Lucy and their four children under the age of five.
The Adelaide-born jockey was in the midst of a breakout season, with 82 winners in Victoria.
He notably won the 2019 Adelaide Cup on the horse Surprise Baby.
The race meet at Donald was cancelled in the aftermath of the devastating fall, which is the fourth in recent times at Victorian racecourses.
In March, jockey Teo Nugent suffered a fracture of his C1 after a nasty fall at the Valley’s Abell Stakes.
Ethan Brown, Mark Zahra, Jamie Kah and Craig Williams were all thrown from their horses in March.
Tributes flow for ‘little diamond’ jockey
Heartbroken Adelaide trainer Jon O’Connor said he would remember Dean Holland as “an absolute little diamond” after his former apprentice’s tragic death.
The two shared a long history together, with Holland joining O’Connor’s team in the mid-2000s and it was a relationship that endured even though the hoop had moved to Victoria – he was still riding for his old boss at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.
After the news of the accident filtered through, O’Connor said the overwhelming response was “disbelief”.
“He was apprentice to us for about four years when he first left school – he would’ve only been about 15 when he started,” O’Connor said.
“They become like family, your apprentices, when they’ve been with you for that long.
“We go back a long way with his parents Darren and Belinda. It’s just very hard to believe.
“His dad and I rode together for many years; we’re pretty much the same vintage.
“We all know the risks but the impact when you’ve got that history with them … it’s just that feeling of disbelief.
“I don’t like to say it, but it makes you hate racing sometimes.
“For all the sacrifices people make, and he’s made the ultimate sacrifice, it makes you almost want to walk away from racing.”
Looking back on their time together, O’Connor said Holland brought a lot of joy to the stable.
“He was a bloody ripper, he was the happiest little kid back then,” he said.
“He was always smiling, loved a joke and never looked like he was having a bad day. He got along with everybody. A natural little rider. Just an absolute little diamond he was.”
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