General News
2 May, 2023
Racing community loses elite jockey
The local racing community is heartbroken after the fatal fall of jockey Dean Holland at last Monday’s race meeting. Warracknabeal Racing Club president Lance Huebner said Mr Holland was a frequent fixture and fan favourite at the Warracknabeal...
The local racing community is heartbroken after the fatal fall of jockey Dean Holland at last Monday’s race meeting.
Warracknabeal Racing Club president Lance Huebner said Mr Holland was a frequent fixture and fan favourite at the Warracknabeal races, winning the Emmetts/John Deere Warracknabeal Cup in 2018 on Kapaulenko, and 2020 on Rupture - both trained by Horsham’s Paul Preusker.
“His greatest achievement at the Warracknabeal racecourse was on Sunday July 10 2016, when Dean rode the first four race winners on the seven race program,” Mr Huebner said.
“It elevated him into an elite company of achievements at the course.
“The club always found him happy and smiling, and an absolute pleasure to deal with.”
Mr Holland, 34, died after his horse careered into the inside rail in the first race, just before the home straight, about 1.30pm.
The remainder of the day’s meet was cancelled.
Racing industry friends and colleagues have paid tribute to the father-of-four.
“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,” Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones said.
“Dean was a gifted lightweight rider who won over 1000 races and was highly respected by his peers.
“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.”
Victoria Police said Mr Holland was worked on by paramedics “but sadly died at the scene”.
“Work Safe has been notified and will investigate. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”