Black armbands at Bendigo in honour of late stablehand Fiona Ralph

Jockeys on Wednesday joined the Bendigo Jockey Club in paying tribute to the late stablehand Fiona Ralph, who died in a tragic accident earlier this month.

The Victorian racing industry is morning the death of stablehand Fiona Ralph following an accident at a race meeting at Bendigo last Tuesday. Picture: Supplied

Jockeys wore black armbands as a mark of respect to the late stablehand Fiona Ralph in the opening race of Wednesday’s Bendigo meeting.

Ms Ralph died last week from a head injury sustained in an accident at a Bendigo race meeting earlier this month.

The Bendigo Jockey Club also named the first race the Vale Fiona Ralph 3YO Maiden Plate in honour of the 58-year-old.

The Symon Wilde-trained Darkbonee improved from a promising third at Warrnambool on April 29 to break his maiden at his second outing.

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Jockey Luke Currie was aboard the son of Palentino at Warrnambool before steering him to his Bendigo win over Source OF Delight, a grandson of the great Black Caviar.

“He was too good for them,” Currie said.

“He drew well, he jumped well and he learned from his first-up run.

“Today, he flattened out late so he was pretty good.”

Jockeys wore black armbands in the Vale Fiona Ralph 3YO Maiden Plate to honour the much-loved industry figure 💕

Luke Currie claimed the race aboard Darkbonee for @wilde_racinghttps://t.co/fsfOyOBfMdpic.twitter.com/Gg31jv5vpe

— Racing Victoria (@RacingVictoria) May 14, 2025

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Currie said Darkbonee would continue to develop as he gained experience.

“I think he’ll improve again and I think he’ll be a horse that will improve with a bit of time,” Currie said.

Originally published as Black armbands at Bendigo in honour of late stablehand Fiona Ralph