The racing world is in shock when star jockey is rushed to hospital in critical condition after the fall of a horror race
- Dean Holland hurried to the hospital
- In critical condition after the fall of the race
- Shocked the racing world
Group 1 winning jockey Dean Holland has been airlifted to hospital in critical condition after a sickening racing fall in the country of Victoria has left the racing world in shock.
The 34-year-old was riding Tony McEvoy gelding Headingley in race one at Donald, 280km north-west of Melbourne, when he was involved in a fall described by onlookers as ‘sickening’.
Holland was thrown to the turf as the three-year-old gelding moved sharply to the inside rail before falling as the field turned home at the top of the straight.
Alana Kelly and her mount Time to Rumble were then also knocked down, with the full power and weight of both horses appearing to land on Holland, who remained lying on the turf.
Miraculously, both mounts appear to have avoided injury and walked away from the scene, while Kelly was able to walk back to the scales.
Group 1 winning jockey Dean Holland has been airlifted to hospital in critical condition after a sickening race fall in the country of Victoria
Jockey Alana Kelly (center, pink and blue side) was also knocked down in the fall, with Holland unseen under the first horse
The Netherlands raced at Donald in the country of Victoria, which is located 280 km northwest of Melbourne
Holland was treated by medical staff en route before being airlifted to a hospital in Melbourne in critical condition.
The Victorian Jockeys Association said in a statement that Holland’s injuries were “critical” and would advise on further updates. It is not yet known what specific injuries he sustained.
The veteran jockey has ridden 1080 winners in a stellar career, including Group 1 wins in the Newmarket Handicap in March and Australasian Oaks in Adelaide, where he cut his teeth as a rider.
The meeting was abandoned after the fall, with the racing world gathering around the popular hoop, which was in strong form – with 82 winners already this season in Victoria.
Fellow jockeys Stephanie Thompson and Dean Yendall immediately tweeted prayer emojis for their colleague, with the former writing that she was praying for Holland and “his wife and kids.”
More to come…