Queensland jockey Desiree Gill dies after race fall

Popular Queensland jockey and mother of two Desiree Gill passed away on Sunday as result of injuries sustained from a fall at the Sunshine Coast race meeting on Saturday night.

As usual, the close-knit racing fraternity comes together is times of tragedy and her husband, leading Gympie trainer Barry Gill, will get all the support needed from Racing Queensland, CEO Darren Condon said.

“I know everyone in the racing fraternity is saddened by this tragic loss and we pass on our deepest sympathies to Desiree’s husband Barry and the Gill family,” Mr Condon said.

Racing Queensland release the following statement  _  “Desiree unfortunately never recovered from the injuries sustained at the Sunshine Coast track on Saturday night.

Desiree Gill, aged 45, was a highly experienced and respected jockey whose untimely death has shocked and deeply saddened the racing industry.

Desiree was widely admired and loved for her passion for the racing industry and in particular, her commitment to developing the next generation of jockeys.

Desiree enjoyed a distinguished riding career spanning 30 years which included a period of employment with Racing Queensland mentoring and educating apprentice jockeys.

Desiree was the 2011/12 and 2012/13 South-East Queensland Country Premiership Jockey of the Year amongst her many career achievements.”

Forty-five year old Gill had just completed a memorable couple of weeks in the saddle and after winning her second Gympie Cup on Troilus Fuse for her husband Barry on October 26, rode four winners on Melbourne Cup Day at Bundaberg.

Racing Queensland stewards have launched an inquiry into the fall at the 1200m in Race five at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday night and after taking evidence from all the riders in the race have adjourned the hearing to a date to be fixed.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.