Stefano Cherchi was ‘like a son to me’ says absolutely devastated trainer Marco Botti after jockey’s death aged 23

HEARTBROKEN trainer Marco Botti says the late Stefano Cherchi was ‘like a son to me’ – as the racing world came to terms with his tragic death aged 23.

The popular rider’s passing was confirmed on Wednesday after he suffered a terrible fall in a race in Australia two weeks ago.

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Racing is in mourning after the death of jockey Stefano Cherchi, seen here with girlfriend Brittany Fallon[/caption]

Heartbroken trainer Marco Botti said Cherchi had been ‘like a son’ to himPA:Empics Sport

The entire sport has come together to remember the Sardinian-born jockey, whose girlfriend Brittany, daughter of legendary jockey Kieren Fallon, had flown out to be at his bedside.

Cherchi, who had over 100 winners in Britain and most of them with Botti, succumbed to head injuries and internal bleeding following the spill in capital Canberra.

It was Newmarket-based Botti who gave Cherchi his big break in British racing.

He explained the magnitude of the loss he felt upon learning of Cherchi’s death – as tributes from jockeys the world over flooded in.

Botti said: “We were devastated this morning when we heard that Stefano had passed away.

“It’s just devastating news for all of us. We knew it was a bad fall and we knew things didn’t look great, but you live in hope and hope for a miracle.

“Hopefully he’s going to a better place and we will never forget him. He will always be with us.

“His charm and his way of behaving with people, he was such a nice guy. For me, he was a little bit like a son to be honest.

“When he left for Australia, we had a chat and in a way I was happy he was going to try to have a career there.

“He had a couple of winners recently and things were just picking up and then this happened. Life is tough.

“For us he was always a good judge in the mornings. He rode some of our nice horses and his feedback was incredible.

“As a jockey he just needed to get on good horses and he would have proven himself.

“Away from the saddle he has always been a really good guy. We were texting each other through the winter and I was hoping he would come back in the spring.

“It’s very sad for the family and all his friends. It’s like we lost a member of the family.”

Cherchi’s weighing room colleague Tom Marquand was among those posting tributes on social media.

The globe-trotting British jockey wrote: “A life lost far too soon, but one that will always be remembered for bringing a smile into every room he entered and spent chasing his dream. RIP Stefano.”

While Marquand’s wife and trailblazing rider Hollie Doyle said: “Devastated. Stefano will be sorely missed, he was one of the good guys.”