Dean Holland passes away after horror fall at Donald

[Wandering Eyes]

Group 1-winning hoop Dean Holland was involved in a nasty fall at Donald on Monday.

Monday’s eight-race meeting at Donald has been abandoned following a nasty fall in the opening race of the sole Victorian meeting of the day.

Both Dean Holland and Alana Kelly were dislodged from their mounts in the only race to have been run, with Kelly reportedly escaping serious injury when able to walk back to the jockey’s room.

Upon entering the home straight, the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained Headingley darted back towards the running rail and in doing so clipped the heels of eventual runner-up Kumicho, dislodging Holland.

The fall left Kelly and the Andrew Payne-trained Time To Rumble in a horrible spot, with the pair unable to avoid contact with the fallen horse and jockey.

Racing was put on indefinite delay while medics treated Holland at the track, before Racing Victoria stewards made the decision to abandon the final seven races of the meeting.

An air ambulance was called to the track to transport Holland to hospital.

The Victorian Jockey Association released a statement following the meeting being abandoned.

“Dean Holland is to be airlifted to Melbourne. Injuries are critical. Further update as advised,” the statement read.

Sadly, news filtered through on Monday afternoon that the two-time Group 1-winning hoop had passed away, with Victoria Police releasing a statement about the incident.

“Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a jockey in Donald,” a police statement said.

“The male was riding in a race at a track on Racecourse Road when he fell around 1.30pm. He was worked on by paramedics but sadly died at the scene.

“Work Safe have been notified and will investigate. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

The thoughts of the entire team at HorseBetting.com.au extend to Holland’s family and friends.

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