The Victoria Racing Club has announced it will present the Dean Holland Trophy to the winning rider of the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
Holland took out this year’s Newmarket Handicap on the James Cummings-trained Godolphin galloper In Secret as the replacement for Jamie Kah who was injured earlier in the day following a fall.
In post-race interviews following his victory, Holland said he did not want to celebrate the Group 1 victory as he normally would as his thoughts were with Kah and fellow rider Craig Williams who was also hospitalised following the fall.
Tragically, Holland lost his life just over six weeks later in a race fall at Donald.
With the support of his family and the Victorian Jockeys Association, a handmade silver trophy will be awarded to the winning jockey of the Newmarket Handicap.
VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said the Club was pleased to be able to honour Holland.
“With the support of the Holland family, and the Victorian Jockeys Association, we are pleased to be able to permanently acknowledge Dean at Flemington,” Wilson said.
“Dean was a bright light in the lives of so many and our thoughts remain with his family and friends.
“His legacy will live on through the Dean Holland Trophy and I have no doubt this race will hold extra significance to Dean’s colleagues in the Victorian jockeys room.”
The VRC will also acknowledge Holland on Saturday at the VRC National Jockeys Trust Race Day with the naming of a race, In Memory of Dean Holland.
