Dean Holland funeral: Fallen jockey had plans to get married later this year
Fallen jockey Dean Holland has been remembered as a loving partner, father, son, brother and friend at his emotional funeral service. He had planned to get married in December.
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Thousands have lined Flemington’s famous straight in remembrance for the late and beloved Group 1 jockey and father-of-four Dean Holland.
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”.
A clapping chorus would ultimately break the silence as the car carrying Holland’s casket, a single saddle and floral wreath stamped ‘Ride With Angels Dean’ trailed two Clerks of the Course horses down the straight and past the winning post.
The exact spot where only two months ago Holland showed Group 1 horsemanship and humility after riding In Secret to victory in the Newmarket Handicap as a late call-up for injured jockey Jamie Kah.
Kah was among the scores of jockeys to pay their respects on Monday, past and present, young and old, alongside partner Ben Melham and their friend Ethan Brown, who was also lucky to survive a shocking race fall at Flemington in March.
Holland would not be so lucky on April 24 at Donald, “he went to work and never returned”.
A stark reminder of the dangers the courageous men and women in saddle face daily.
Mourners came from all corners of the Australian racing spectrum, champion jockeys to first year apprentices, our greatest trainers and those aspiring to be.
Holland’s stoic partner Lucy sat in the front row with their children Harley, Franklin, Luca and Lily, supported by her parents Keith and Jane Clampin and in-laws-to-be Darren and Belinda Holland.
Lucy and Dean planned to get married in December after being forced to reschedule, like many others, due to past Covid lockdowns.
Holland’s cheeky demeanor and aptitude at just about any pursuit, bar singing, was showcased in the sad but beautiful 70-minute funeral service for a man taken too soon, in the prime of his life.
Victorian Jockeys’ Association welfare officer and former chief executive Des O’Keeffe read a eulogy on behalf of Holland’s parents.
Karate, baseball, Australian Rules and tennis, Holland was great all in his formative years, before genetics, “five foot nothing” and “49kg wringing wet”, led to a career in the saddle.
Just as mourners thought Holland was good at anything and everything he touched a home video of the jockey singing the Kenny Rogers’ anthem The Gambler appeared on screen.
Holland on the mic hours after winning his first of two home town Adelaide Cups (2015 and 2019) proved “Dutchy”, “Deano”, “Deanee” and “Champ” could ride, but not hold a note.
Holland’s first race ride was at Ceduna in December 2005, his last at Donald on April 24, 2023.
He amassed more than 1100 winners, including two at the highest level, a sparkling career built on hard work, built on “determination” and “consistency”.
Mentor and jockey coach James Winks delivered a heartfelt eulogy and provided an insight into the professionalism, hunger and drive behind Holland’s cheeky smile.
“He was naturally gifted and rarely made a mistake, his assets were he never doubted his ability and he was always willing to learn and apply his trade,” Winks said.
“I couldn’t have played my role without him playing his and it was a team effort between us.
“He was five foot nothing, 49kg wringing wet but strong as an ox.
“He worked hard, travelled far, played fair, humbled by the success of others, a true testament to character and genuine bloke he was, he was simply a gentleman of the sport.”
A couple of hours before the service the Holland and Clampin families held a private baptism for baby Lily in the mounting yard at Flemington, witnessed by the great Living Legend Apache Cat.
A Go Fund Me fundraiser for his partner and children has so far raised more than $1.81m.
Paramedics worked tirelessly to save Holland after he fell from Headingley, however, he sadly died soon after.
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Originally published as Dean Holland funeral: Fallen jockey had plans to get married later this year
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