Who is Dean Holland’s wife? Ace jockey dies at 34 after taking a nasty fall at country race meet
DONALD, VICTORIA: Ace jockey Dean Holland, 34, died after sustaining severe injuries due to a fall he took during a country race meeting. The Group One winner was riding gelding Headingley, trained by Tony McEvoy, in the opening race in Donald, which is located 174 miles northwest of Melbourne.
Holland was leading when he fell and onlookers described the moment as "sickening." He was knocked to the ground as the three-year-old gelding crossed the course before tumbling and slamming into the fence. The fall also brought down Alana Kelly and her mount, Time to Rumble, which smashed several fences with Headingley before they both fell on Holland. Kelly was able to make it back to the scales while both animals were miraculously unharmed and fled, according to the Daily Mail.
READ MORE
Megan Taylor: Racing world in shock after apprentice jockey, 26, dies in tragic on-track fall
Holland was treated by medical personnel on the course before being airlifted to a hospital in Melbourne in critical condition. He, however, succumbed to his injuries just after 4 pm local time. The race was stopped after the incident.
"Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a jockey in Donald," a police statement reportedly read, adding, "The male was riding in a race at a track on Racecourse Road when he fell around 1.30 pm. Work Safe has been notified and will investigate. The death is not being treated as suspicious."
Who is Dean Holland’s wife?
Holland, who has 1,080 wins to his credit, is survived by his wife, Lucy, and four children under the age of five. As per Model Fact, Lucy is a former track rider who garnered success in her short-lived career. Lucy first met Holland in 2008, when they visited the Flemington stables. It was there that the two began to get to know each other, and as time went on, their connection grew. After dating each other for six years, the couple got married in 2014. They then went on to welcome four children, Harry, Charlie, Archie and Lily. Lucy stays out of the limelight but Holland never failed to talk about how she motivated and supported him throughout his career.
‘There wasn’t a more likable person’
Holland's death has left the racing world devastated. Mourning his death, commentator Ben Asgari said there were not many jockeys more loved than the veteran. “Vale Dean Holland. So unbearably sad. There wasn’t a more likable person on the racetrack. We need to do all we can to help his young family. Love to Dean’s friends and family, thinking of you all,” he tweeted.
Vale Dean Holland. So unbearably sad. There wasn’t a more likeable person on the racetrack. We need to do all we can to help his young family. Love to Dean’s friends and family, thinking of you all. 💔
— Ben Asgari (@BenAsgariRacing) April 24, 2023
Vale Dean Holland
— Peter Moody (@moodyracingpgm) April 24, 2023
Thoughts and prayers to Lucy and his beautiful young family
Way to soon
RIP young man
Such sad news to hear that Dean Holland has passed away, Deano was a fantastic jockey, hard worker & such a great bloke, condolences to his lovely family, it is just so sad🥲#rip
— Samuel Hyland (@HylandSamuel) April 24, 2023
"Vale Dean Holland. Thoughts and prayers to Lucy and his beautiful young family Way too soon, RIP young man," trainer Peter Moody wrote in a moving tribute. Another person tweeted, "Such sad news to hear that Dean Holland has passed away. Deano was a fantastic jockey, hard worker & such a great bloke, condolences to his lovely family, it is just so sad."