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Emotional Riordan lands Ballarat victory

3 minute read

With Dean Holland riding with him, Liam Riordan has guided Serenaur to an emotional win at Ballarat.

SERENAUR winning the Hygain Winners Choice Handicap in Ballarat, Australia.
SERENAUR winning the Hygain Winners Choice Handicap in Ballarat, Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

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The ride on Serenaur was Riordan's solitary ride on Wednesday's program after two of his other mounts had been withdrawn.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." 


Racing and Sports

Ballarat

Wednesday, 26th April 2023

5
15:55
(local)

Hygain Winners Choice Handicap

Age: 3yo and up WT: 54.0kg Type: BM64
AUD $37,500
1400m TURF SOFT
5
15:55
(local)
AUD $37,500
1400m SOFT

Hygain Winners Choice Handicap

Age: 3yo and up WT: 54.0kg Type: BM64


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 3. SERENAUR (AUS) 4yo G
STAR TURN (AUS) - ORLAITH (AUS)
LIAM RIORDAN
BRENT STANLEY
$3.8
60.5kg
Sona Thoroughbreds (Mgr: K Pitstock)
2nd 1. AMEGDUL (AUS) 4yo G
MEDAGLIA D'ORO (USA) - ESSAOUIRA (AUS)
MS FIONA SANDKUHL
DANIEL MCCARTHY
$5
61.5kg
D J McCarthy, H J McCarthy, A J McCarthy, P J Dowling, P L Thrum, Miss T G O'Neill, Miss C L Thrum, D R Wallace, C J McInnes, J Wohlers, T D James, J D Winter, A R Lowe, M L Holmes, D M Holmes, N Senkic & A J Haring

Sales Information

3rd 6. OENOLOGY (AUS) 4yo G
HINCHINBROOK (AUS) - MORE BUBBLY (AUS)
DEAN YENDALL
MATTHEW WILLIAMS
$3.8
59kg

Sales Information

4th 7. NED AND POWER (AUS) 5yo G
PUISSANCE DE LUNE (IRE) - HOLD ME NED (AUS)
CRAIG NEWITT
JAMES BULL
$71
58.5kg
5th 2. DROP THE MIC (AUS) 6yo G
YOUR SONG (AUS) - HIMALAYAN QUEEN (AUS)
MS DAKOTAH KEANE
ALISA HINCH
$5.5
58kg

Sales Information

6th 10. EAGLET (AUS) 4yo M
FREE EAGLE (IRE) - GAZELLA (AUS)
DECLAN BATES
MATT CUMANI
$26
56.5kg
7th 5. MAGNETISM (AUS) 6yo G
MAGNUS (AUS) - FUHRNATIC (AUS)
BILLY EGAN
TOM DABERNIG
$21
59.5kg

Sales Information

8th 4. ARTERO (AUS) 4yo G
FLYING ARTIE (AUS) - ELLA SUPERO (AUS)
JAKE NOONAN
A & S FREEDMAN
$12
60kg

Sales Information

9th 9. EXZELLO (NZ) 4yo G
SHAMEXPRESS (NZ) - CHAZELLE (NZ)
JAMIE MOTT
MICHAEL MORONEY
$9.5
58kg

Sales Information

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