Racing Victoria Stewards have today continued their inquiry into the reason for Headingley, ridden by Dean Holland, falling during Race 1 at Donald and District Racing Club on Monday, 24 April 2023.
Headingley fell near the 300m mark in the 3YO Maiden Plate (1000m) and Time To Rumble (Alana Kelly), which was racing behind Headingley, was unable to avoid the fallen horse and was brought down.
Dean Holland was immediately attended to by Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Medical Paramedics and the on-course doctor, however his injuries were ultimately fatal. Alana Kelly suffered minor injuries.
Headingley and Time To Rumble were inspected by RV veterinary staff following their falls. RV veterinarians reported Headingley sustained abrasions and Time To Rumble was displaying blood in its near side nostril as a result of the fall. Stewards directed that post-race samples be obtained from Headingley and Time To Rumble.
Stewards opened an inquiry on the day into the fall and evidence was taken from all riders who rode in the race, those being Jack Hill (Frowned), Declan Bates (Kumicho), Harry Coffey (Morning Darling), Alana Kelly (Time To Rumble), Billy Egan (Trust Account), Hannah LeBlanc (Wakiti Bull), Tahlia Hope (Impending Love), Harry Grace (Kawaiisu) and Linda Meech (Paulartes).
Co-trainer of Headingley, Tony McEvoy, who was not present at the race meeting, was also interviewed via telephone. At this point the inquiry was adjourned.
The Stewards today resumed their inquiry and further evidence was taken from all parties interviewed on 24 April. Calvin McEvoy, co-trainer of Headingley, was also interviewed. Matthew Hyland, Victorian Jockeys Association Chief Executive, was present and assisted apprentice Hannah LeBlanc.
On the evidence available to Stewards, it was established that Headingley was racing to the outside and approximately three quarters of a length behind Kumicho prior to the horses entering the home straight.
Near the 300m Headingley, when placed under pressure, began to lay in and when Dean Holland endeavored to correct the gelding it shifted in further, struck the heels of Kumicho and fell.
Time To Rumble, which was racing behind and to the inside of Headingley, was brought down when unable to avoid the fallen Headingley. Whilst the Stewards note that there was a minor shift outwards from Kumicho at this point, they were of the view this was not the reason for the fall occurring.
The post-race samples taken from Headingley and Time To Rumble were reported by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) as being clear.
The Stewards determined the cause of the fall to be Headingley shifting ground inwards, despite the efforts of Dean Holland preventing it from doing so.
Having considered the evidence available to them, the Stewards deemed the fall, while having devastating consequences, was an accident that was not attributable to the actions of any rider.
The Stewards’ inquiry is now concluded.