NZ racing is in shock from the death of a popular Japanese jockey

Taiki Yanagida had been riding in New Zealnd for the past 5 seasons and had made it into the senior jockey level after an apprenticeship with O'Sullivan-Scott racing.

Known as "Tiger" he was fatally injured in a fall at Cambridge.  His mother and sister came from Japan to be by his bedside at the end.  They stated that he had been doing what he loved and that he was happy with is career.

He was enjoying a good start to the season but alas it was not to continue.

We send our condolences to his family and his many friends.