Horse racing jockey Taiki Yanagida died Tuesday from critical injuries suffered following a fall at Cambridge Jockey Club race August 3. He was 28-years-old.
The Matamata-based jockey had been on life support at Waikato Hospital since the accident, according to New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.
“Our deepest sympathies are with Taiki’s family – his mother Kayano, sisters Chiaki and Ayano, and his grandmother,” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing CEO Bruce Sharrock said in a statement. “We share their grief at the loss of such a talented, friendly, and well-liked young man.
“Taiki was recently able to spend a month back at home with his family following a lengthy period where he could not travel home due to Covid, and we hope they take comfort from the memories created during that time.”
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Yanagida’s mother, younger sister and fellow rider Yuto Kumagai accompanied him the the hospital where members of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing assisted the family “from the moment Taiki was transported to the hospital,” Sharrock said.
“We have been conscious of the fact that they needed to be comfortable every step of the way, including how and when news of his death was relayed, bearing in mind the fact there are other family members to consider.
“Our thoughts are also with those at Wexford Stables, members of the O’Sullivan-Scott team were Taiki’s New Zealand family, and they will all be impacted by his death.”
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.
