Jockey Taiki Yanagida has passed away following a terrible fall at Cambridge last Wednesday, reports Michael Guerin.
Yanagida was brought down in the final race of the meeting, leaving the Japanese jockey unconscious and in a bad way on course.
Yanagida was placed in an induced coma at the track before being taken to Waikato Hospital.
New Zealand racing and sports journalist Michael Guerin broke the devastating news on Tuesday afternoon via his Twitter account.
“Deeply saddened to report NZ jockey Taiki Yanagida has died in Waikato Hospital,” Guerin said.
“Taiki suffered brain and spinal damage in a race fall at Cambridge last Wed. He was just 28. His mother and one of his sisters were by his side today. Ride with the angels, Tiger.”
Our thoughts are with Taiki and his family.
RACING TRAGEDY: Deeply saddened to report NZ jockey Taiki Yanagida has died in Waikato Hospital. Taiki suffered brain and spinal damage in a race fall at Cambridge last Wed. He was just 28. His mother and one of his sisters were by his side today.
— Michael Guerin (@GuerinSports) August 9, 2022
Ride with the angels, Tiger. pic.twitter.com/3LGHPU7Ous