Japanese jockey dies in New Zealand hospital after fall

Tributes have poured in for Japanese jockey Taiki Yanagida, who died after suffering head and spinal injuries in a fall during a race in New Zealand, Waikato Hospital confirmed on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old, who was based in Manawatu, died on Tuesday night, having been on life support in a coma after suffering critical injuries following his fall at a race in Cambridge last Wednesday.

In a statement, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) said his mother Kayano and sister Chiaki, who flew in from Japan last Friday, as well as fellow rider Yuto Kumagai, had visited him.

"Our deepest sympathies are with Taiki's family— his mother Kayano, sisters Chiaki and Ayano, and his grandmother,'' said NZTR CEO Bruce Sharrock.

"We share their grief at the loss of such a talented, friendly, and well-liked young man."

Sharrock said Taiki had recently spent a month visiting his family in Japan, having been unable to travel previously due to Covid-19 restrictions.

"We hope they take comfort from the memories created during that time," he added.

Those who worked alongside the Japanese jockey at Wexford Stables in Matamata (near Cambridge) "were Taiki's New Zealand family, and they will all be impacted by his death," Sharrock added.

NZTR will now help assist Yanagida's family "as they make plans to take their son and brother home".

Taiki, who was nicknamed "Tiger" in the racing industry, was born and raised in Japan, and only started riding when he was 18, first in Australia, and later on in New Zealand.

He has reportedly ridden 162 winners in New Zealand, sacrificing his goal of winning 50 races this season to fly home in June, in order to see his family before returning mid-July.