Racing community pays tribute to Dean Holland and Milton Pettit

A sombre weekend in the national racing community saw people come together to celebrate two extraordinary lives.

IT was a sombre weekend for the national racing community following the death of jockey Dean Holland in a race fall at Donald Racecourse in country Victoria last week.

Tributes were held throughout the country, and a race was named in Holland’s honour at Sunday’s thoroughbred meeting in Hobart.

Tasmanian racing also paid tribute to one of its own, following the passing of Milton Pettit.

Races were named in Milton’s honour at both Sunday’s thoroughbred meeting in Hobart and last Friday night’s harness racing meeting at the same venue.

For the record, the Milton Pettit Pace (2090m) was won by Deadly Assassin and provided the final leg of a treble for reinsman Mitch Ford and a fourth winner on the night for leading trainer Ben Yole.

While Sunday’s Vale Milton Pettit BM68 Handicap (1200m) was taken out by the Stuart Gandy-trained Geegeeluckystar, and was the first leg of a riding treble for Siggy Carr.

Carr also took out the Vale Dean Holland Class One (1200m) on Dawn Eagle.

Milton was a great friend of another Tasmanian racing icon – Mercury racing journalist, the late David Lonergan.

Both men were great supporters of mine when as a young racing writer I entered their realm for several years in the early 2000s.

Milton naturally had a wealth of knowledge that he was happy to share.

Milton and his family were also very welcoming and friendly to a newcomer finding his way.

There are acts of kindness you never forget.

Vale Milton.