Former California exercise rider Stefano Cherchi dies after spill in Australia

Stefano Cherchi, an Italian-born jockey, died earlier this week as a result of injuries sustained in a spill in a race in Australia in March. Cherchi worked briefly as an exercise rider at Santa Anita in the winter of 2022-2023.

Cherchi was 23. He won more than 100 races in Britain, where his career began in 2018.

Cherchi began riding in Australia earlier this year and rode winners in February and March before he was involved in the accident at Canberra Racecourse on March 20. Cherchi sustained a head injury and internal bleeding, according to reports.

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During his brief stay in California, Cherchi worked primarily for trainer Phil D’Amato, who has one of the state’s most prominent stables.

“He was such a good kid,” D’Amato said on Wednesday. “The whole barn was shocked and saddened. He was a bright light.

“We were fortunate to have him for three or four months.”

Cherchi joined D’Amato’s team at the recommendation of Italian native Umberto Rispoli, one of the leading riders in Southern California. Cherchi was a long-time friend of Italian jockey Antonio Fresu, himself among the leading riders in Southern California in the last year.

“I think they looked at him like a little brother,” D’Amato said.

Fresu said on Wednesday that he watched Cherchi’s career develop in England beginning in 2018.

“He came from the town next to me,” Fresu said. “I knew him since he was a kid. I’ve known his family since I was a kid. We were working together in the first part of his career.”

Cherchi relocated to Australia in late 2023.

“He decided to move to Australia and try to find some luck,” Fresu said. “He said he was loving it there. He started getting a few winners.

“It was news no one wanted to hear last night.”

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