Stefano Cherchi: Italian jockey dies aged 23 after horse racing fall in Canberra | Racing News

Italian jockey Stefano Cherchi has died following a fall in Australia last month.

The 23-year-old suffered a head injury and internal bleeding following a fall on Robert Quinn’s Hasime at Canberra Racecourse on March 20.

Cherchi moved to England as a teenager and had his first ride there aboard Casina Di Notte in August 2018, riding 106 winners in the UK.

Stefano Cherchi is being treated at Canberra Hospital for internal bleeding and a head injury
Image:
Cherchi rode 106 winners in the UK

The New South Wales Jockeys Association posted on X: “With deep sadness, the Cherchi family have announced their beloved son Stefano passed away peacefully today.

“The family are very grateful for the love, prayers & messages sent by the racing community across the world.”

Cherchi was largely based with trainer Marco Botti while in Britain and also rode for Saeed Bin Suroor and Amy Murphy.

Botti said on X: “Today is an absolutely heartbreaking day for us all, but Stefano will always be with us.

“His charming character and smile can never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with the Cherchi family and his close friends.”