The partner of a young jockey who died after a fall during a horror race has shared a heartbreaking message following the tragedy.
Stefano Cherchi, 23, fell from a horse during a race in Australia in an incident involving two other horses on March 20.
The Sardinian-born jockey was in an induced coma in the intensive care unit of a Canberra hospital but died on Wednesday.
Cherchi rode more than 100 winners in Britain while based in Newmarket and had two successes since arriving in Australia in January.
His parents and girlfriend Brittany Fallon, daughter of former British champion jockey Kieren Fallon, had flown to Australia to be at Cherchi’s bedside.
The girlfriend of a young jockey who died after a tragic accident has shared a heartbreaking message on Instagram
Brittany Fallon’s boyfriend Stefano Cherchi died on March 30 in Australia after an accident
And now Brittany took to Instagram to pay tribute to her friend, saying she will love Cherchi forever.
“Life will never be the same,” she posted alongside a video montage of their happiest moments together.
“I will love you forever, thank you for showing me the most passionate love I could have ever imagined.”
After Cherchi’s death, it has emerged that he was considering whether to extend his stay in Australia or return to England with Brittany and resume his career there.
He arrived in Australia with fellow jockey Eoin Walsh, who was left devastated by the tragic death of his close friend.
“In October last year, Stefano and I talked about moving to Australia,” he said.
”F*** it mate, let’s do it”. I wish this conversation had never happened.
‘The nicest man I have ever met and it has been an absolute pleasure looking after you over the years. I will never forget you.’
Cherchi rode more than 100 winners in Britain before achieving two successes after arriving in Australia
In a statement, the New South Wales Jockeys Association said: “It is with great sadness that the Cherchi family has announced that their beloved son Stefano passed away peacefully today.
“The family is deeply grateful for the love, prayers and messages sent by the racing community around the world.”
Italian trainer Marco Botti paid tribute to Cherchi, who had ridden his horses to victories 38 times.
Botti admitted that Cherchi was “like a son” and said he feels like he has lost “a member of the family.”
“It’s just devastating news for all of us,” Botti told the PA news agency.
“We knew it was a bad fall and we knew it didn’t look great, but you live in hope and hope for a miracle. Hopefully he goes to a better place and we will never forget him; he will always be with us.
‘His charm and his way with people made him such a nice guy. To me he was honestly a bit of a son.
‘When he left for Australia we had a chat and in a way I was happy that he wanted to build a career there. He had a few winners recently and things were just looking up and then this happened. Life is hard.
Fallon said she will love Cherchi forever in a heartbreaking message following his death
‘He was always a good judge for us in the morning. He rode some of our beautiful horses and his feedback was incredible. As a jockey he only had to ride good horses and then he had proven himself.
‘Outside the saddle he has always been a very good guy. We texted each other all winter and I hoped he would come back in the spring.
‘It’s very sad for the family and all his friends. Honestly, it’s like we’ve lost a family member.”
The British Horseracing Authority was among those to join the tributes, saying the organization was ‘heartbroken’ by the loss of a ‘talented young man’.
‘Stefano rode more than 100 winners in Britain before moving to Australia, and the high regard he received around the world is clear to see.
Cherchi’s girlfriend Britanny, daughter of champion jockey Kieren Fallon, had been at his hospital bedside
“Our thoughts are with his friends, family and everyone who had the pleasure of working with him.
“The entire racing industry will be in mourning after the loss of such a talented young man.”
Cherchi won four races for David Loughnane during his career, with the trainer saying he was ‘devastated’ by the Italian’s death.
“We are all completely devastated by the loss of Stefano Cherchi,” Loughnane wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“He was an absolute gentleman and a pleasure to know and work with. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends #RIP’
