Jockey Stefano Cherchi has tragically passed away at the age of 23, two weeks after sustaining injuries in a fall.
In Canberra, Australia, during a race meeting, the Sardinian jockey, who had previously ridden in Britain, fell. His girlfriend Brittany, the daughter of the legendary former jockey Kieren Fallon, rushed to be by his bedside.
“With deep sadness, the Cherchi family have announced their beloved son Stefano passed away peacefully today,” said the New South Wales Jockeys Association.
“The family are very grateful for the love, prayers and messages sent by the racing community across the world.”
The rider was admitted to intensive care with a severe head injury following a fall from his mount during a race at Canberra on March 20th. Cherchi’s horse, Hasime, was involved in an incident that also affected two other horses.
Although the other two riders and all the horses were uninjured, Cherchi was attended to by medical personnel on the track for roughly an hour before being taken to the hospital with a head injury and internal bleeding.
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Cherchi, who had undergone jockey apprenticeship under Newmarket trainer Marco Botti, recorded over 100 wins in Britain before making the move to Australia at the outset of the year.
“Today is an absolutely heartbreaking day for us all but Stefano will always be with us. His charming character and smile can never be forgotten,” said Botti.
“Our thoughts are with the Cherchi family and his close friends.”
The British Horseracing Authority stated that the jockey was widely respected globally and held in high esteem within the racing community.
It was mentioned that the entire racing sector would experience sorrow following the passing of a highly skilled young individual.