With Dean Holland riding with him, Liam Riordan has guided Serenaur to an emotional win at Ballarat.
Jockey Liam Riordan was moved to tears when he stood up and raised his whip when he crossed the line after winning a race at Ballarat.
Riordan was the replacement rider aboard Serenaur in the Hygain Winner’s Choice Handicap (1400m) on Wednesday for Dean Holland who tragically died in a race fall at Donald on Monday.
Wiping away tears following the win, Riordan could not keep his emotions in check postrace.
“Obviously, everyone is the same,” a tearful Riordan told racing.com.
“We’re really upset about Dean. We can’t bring him back but hopefully that brings some joy.”
The ride on Serenaur was Riordan’s solitary ride on Wednesday’s program after two of his other mounts had been withdrawn.
Holland was booked to ride Serenaur when fields were finalised on Monday prior to the fall, having ridden the gelding in his three previous starts, including a win at Ballarat in March.
Winning trainer Brent Standly said it was one of the hardest calls he had made in finding a replacement rider for Serenaur.
“The owner, Sona Bloodstock, when I asked them on Monday, said they would donate all the prize money to his family,” Brent Stanley said.
“It’s probably one of the best things we can do at the moment but I’m just very proud in (what is) an emotional win.
“Deano just missed on him last time. Liam obviously got the job done today, but I think someone was riding with him.”
The second race on Wednesday’s program was renamed the ‘In Honour Of Dean Holland’ and taken out by the Damien Oliver-ridden Ferlazzo which carried the colours of Tralee Rose which Holland rode to victory in the 2021 Geelong Cup.
Oliver, who lost both his father Ray and brother Jason in race falls, said Holland would be sorely missed in the jockey’s room.
Ferlazzo was the second leg of three straight victories for Oliver on Wednesday.
Oliver replaced Alana Kelly, who walked away almost unscathed from Monday’s Donald fall, aboard his first winner Cadenabbia in the opening race.
“We’re all going to miss him,” Oliver said of Holland.
“He was a top bloke, a very popular bloke in the jockeys’ room and our hearts certainly go out to all his family and close friends.
“He’s left a great mark on a lot of people.”
