Stefano Cherchi – died after sustaining injuries in a fall (Pic – Godolphin)
Stefano Cherchi, who rode more than 100 winners in the United Kingdom, has died after being injured in a fall in Australia last month, the New South Wales Jockeys Association said Wednesday. He was 23.
“With deep sadness, the Cherchi family have announced their beloved son Stefano passed away peacefully today,” the association posted on X, formerly Twitter. “The family are very grateful for the love, prayers & messages sent by the racing community across the world.”
The Guardian reports that the Italian was riding at Canberra on March 20 when his mount, Hasime, fell in the Affinity Electrical Technologies Plate, with two other riders escaping serious injury after being unseated in the incident.
Cherchi received medical treatment at the track before being transferred to the hospital and was found to have sustained a head injury and internal bleeding.
Cherchi partnered 38 winners for trainer Marco Botti while in the UK before switching to Australia earlier in the year.
Godolphin said in a statement that they were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Stefano Cherchi, who carried the Godolphin silks to victory on several occasions. They said that their thoughts are with his family.
