Marco Botti paid tribute to his compatriot Stefano Cherchi after the young jockey died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall in Australia last month.
The 23-year-old was riding at Canberra on March 20 when his mount, Hasime, fell in the Affinity Electrical Technologies Plate, with two other riders escaping serious injury after being unseated in the incident.
Cherchi received medical treatment at the track before being transferred to hospital and was found to have sustained a head injury and internal bleeding.
The New South Wales Jockeys Association posted on X, formerly twitter, on Wednesday: “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.”
The majority of Cherchi’s success in Britain came aboard horses trained by fellow Italian Botti, the man who provided his most recent mount in Britain at Chelmsford in November.
Cherchi partnered 38 winners for Botti while in the UK, and the Newmarket handler was hugely saddened by the news of his death.
He told the PA news agency: “We were devastated this morning when we heard that Stefano had passed away. I think it was midday in Australia and we just heard an hour ago basically.
“It’s just devastating news for all of us. We knew it was a bad fall and we knew things didn’t look great, but you live in hope and hope for a miracle. Hopefully he’s going to a better place and we will never forget him – he will always be with us.”
Botti added: “His charm and his way of behaving with people, he was such a nice guy. For me, he was a little bit like a son to be honest.
“When he left for Australia, we had a chat and in a way I was happy he was going to try to have a career there. He had a couple of winners recently and things were just picking up and then this happened. Life is tough.
“For us he was always a good judge in the mornings. He rode some of our nice horses and his feedback was incredible. As a jockey he just needed to get on good horses and he would have proven himself.
“Away from the saddle he has always been a really good guy. We were texting each other through the winter and I was hoping he would come back in the spring.
“It’s very sad for the family and all his friends. It’s like we lost a member of the family to be honest.”
The Sardinian-born Cherchi made his British debut in 2018 and rode his first winner the following April aboard the Botti-trained Withoutdestination at Wolverhampton.
He teamed up with a wide variety of trainers, including Godolphin handler Saeed bin Suroor for whom he partnered eight winners, and Newmarket trainer Amy Murphy who provided 10 victories from 175 rides.
Cherchi struck gold four times for David Loughnane, who said on X: “We are all completely devastated with the loss of Stefano Cherchi.
“He was an absolute gentleman and a pleasure to have known and worked with. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
In a statement, the British Horseracing Authority said: “We are heartbroken to hear the news that Stefano Cherchi has died following a fall at Canberra racecourse last month.
“Stefano rode over 100 winners in Britain before moving to Australia, and the high esteem in which he was held around the world is clear to see.
“Our thoughts are with his friends, family, and everyone who has had the pleasure of working with him. The entire racing industry will be in mourning after the loss of such a talented young man.”
Starc hails Australia's 'grit and determination' after career-best display
Mitchell Starc praised Australia's "grit and determination" after they skittled India out for 180 on the first day of the day-night second Test in Adelaide.
The left-arm fast bowler produced a career-best 6-48 with the pink ball to make light work of the Indian batting line-up as the hosts asserted control.
Australia then ended the first day on 86-1, just 94 short of India's first innings total, as they look to bounce back from a 295-run defeat in the opening Test in Perth.
The 35-year-old gave Australia the upper hand from the get-go by trapping India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in front of the stumps in the first ball of the game.
Starc also accounted for the wickets of top-order batters KL Rahul (37) and Virat Kohli (31) before wrapping up the innings with three more in the end, including that of India's top scorer Nitish Kumar Reddy (42).
"It was a good day all round. We were a fraction wide in the first hour but after that we were bang on with the ball," Starc told ABC at the conclusion of play.
"With the pink ball you are never out of the game in terms of it doing something. There might be periods when it doesn't do as much, but then it might start doing things. But not a lot of what I do changes.
His previous best in Test cricket was the 6-50 he took against Sri Lanka at Galle in August 2016. Starc now has 72 wickets in day-night Tests - 29 more than the next-best bowler Nathan Lyon on 43.
Jasprit Bumrah (1-13) sent back Australia opener Usman Khawaja but Nathan McSweeney remains unbeaten on 38, and he will have the company of Marnus Labuschagne, on 20, when the play resumes on day two.
"To get batting on day one and go to stumps with grit and determination was fantastic, in what are the most difficult conditions in pink-ball cricket. If we have a successful first session on day two, we hold the cards," Starc said.
Starc inspires Australia with career-best Test haul
Australia are in control of the second Test against India after Mitchell Starc's career-best showing at the Adelaide Oval.
Paceman Starc took 6-48 as India, who won the toss and elected to bat, were skittled out for just 180 on Friday.
Starc pinned Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw with the very first ball of the day, setting the tone for the onslaught that was to follow from Australia's bowlers.
KL Rahul (37), Virat Kohli (seven), Ravichandran Ashwin (22), Harshit Rana (0) also fell to Starc, who rounded off his six-for, and wrapped up India's innings, with the dismissal of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who top-scored for the tourists with 42.
Jasprit Bumrah (1-13) dismissed Usman Khawaja on 13 in the 11th over of Australia's chase, but Nathan McSweeney knocked off six fours to reach an unbeaten 38 by stumps, with Marnus Labuschagne on 20 not out at the other end.
Australia, who lost by 295 runs in Perth in the first Test, will start day two on 86-1, just 94 shy of India's total.
Data Debrief: Starc's day-night delight
Starc's bowling figures are his best in a single innings in the longest format, surpassing the 6-50 he previously took against Pakistan. The left-arm quick has now taken 72 wickets in day-night Tests, 29 more than the next-best bowler (Nathan Lyon, on 43).
Australia needed a response after that drubbing in the opening match, especially when taking into account that India have won three of their four day-night Tests before this match.
However, their only loss came at the Adelaide Oval, back in December 2020. Australia lost their last day-night Test, against West Indies in January of this year, but before that had won all of their previous 11 such matches, and they are in a commanding position in this one.
Zimi Entertainment teams up with Supreme Ventures to revolutionize the Mouttet Mile
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment has joined forces with Zimi Entertainment to infuse fresh, youthful energy into Jamaica’s iconic Mouttet Mile, creating a dynamic fusion of sports and entertainment.
The partnership, announced by Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL), aims to broaden the event's appeal by introducing vibrant elements to the experience, including the launch of the Zimi Seh Brunch. Known for its innovative, high-energy parties, Zimi Entertainment is set to transform race day into a cultural spectacle that merges tradition with trendsetting vibes.
Nicholas Mahfood, CEO of Zimi Entertainment, emphasized the significance of this collaboration:
"This partnership means a great deal to the Zimi team. We’ve worked hard over the years to grow our brand, and to now have the opportunity to partner with a powerhouse like Supreme Ventures is truly a rewarding feeling. We’re excited to work alongside them to bring the Mouttet Mile and the launch of Zimi Seh Brunch to life. This is just the beginning, and we hope to cultivate a long-term partnership that will allow us to fuse our creative reach and deliver some of the most unforgettable parties and events in Jamaica."
The Mouttet Mile, a highlight on Jamaica’s social and sporting calendar, will now boast curated entertainment designed to appeal to a younger, trendier audience while retaining its appeal for seasoned racegoers. This collaboration underscores a commitment to innovation, with the event poised to become an even bigger celebration of Jamaican culture and lifestyle.
Kamal Powell, Head of Marketing at Supreme Ventures Limited, expressed his excitement about the new partnership:
"We’re thrilled to partner with Zimi, as it allows us to engage a younger demographic and inject some fresh energy into the Mouttet Mile. This collaboration also provides Zimi with a wonderful corporate partnership as they launch Zimi Seh Brunch, the first of many exciting events in the series. We look forward to the innovation and creativity that Zimi Entertainment will bring to the Mouttet Mile and Caymanas Track as a whole. It’s an exciting time for the entertainment industry in Jamaica."
This partnership not only marks an evolution for the Mouttet Mile but also signals a broader shift in how events like horse racing can connect with diverse audiences. With Zimi Entertainment at the helm of the entertainment experience, guests can expect a memorable blend of thrilling horse races, vibrant music, and immersive cultural festivities.
The collaboration promises to elevate the Mouttet Mile into a world-class event, blending the rich tradition of horse racing with cutting-edge entertainment to redefine Jamaica’s event landscape.
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