Brittany Fallon says ‘life will never be the same’ following death of jockey boyfriend

In a heart-breaking tribute, Brittany Fallon said “life will never be the same”, after Cherchi died in hospital after suffering head and internal injuries in a race fall on March 20.

Brittany joined Cherchi’s parents and his sister in Australia to be by his side in hospital where the 23-year-old jockey died on Wednesday - two weeks after the fall in Canberra, Australia.

Posting a slideshow of photos and videos late on Wednesday night, Brittany wrote: “I’ll love you forever, thank you for showing me the most passionate kind of love I could have only ever imagined.”

Her brother Cieren, himself a talented jockey, was among those who to expressed their sympathy, while six-time champion Kieren paid an in-depth tribute to Cherchi in his Racing Post column.

The 59-year-old wrote: "He was the most polite, nice, young man you would ever meet.

"He was a lovely lad and it's such a pity what has happened. It's very sad."

It has since emerged that Cherchi was due to decide on extending his stay in Australia or move home to England to be with Brittany and resume his career there.

Fellow jockey Eoin Walsh, who had moved to Australia with him, said in an emotional post that he wished their relocation “had never happened”.

He wrote: "Back in October last year, Stefano and I spoke about moving over to Australia “f*** it mate, let’s do it”.

"I wish this conversation never happened.

"The kindest guy I’ve ever met and it’s been an absolute pleasure babysitting you the last few years. I’ll never forget you."

He said Cherchi was “really enjoying his life” in Australia and suggested the Italian was going to stay on.

“Things were on the up, he was getting a lot of attention from a lot of different trainers, a lot of fellow riders,” Walsh told At The Races.

“I just know he was really enjoying it and this was looking like it was going to be his new home.

Praising his friend’s talents as “something special”, Walsh said he was bound for greatness.

More than $36,500 has been raised to support Cherchi’s family through a GoFundMe organised by his first trainer and close friend Marco Botti.

“It’s just a shame. In a short time they really appreciated them (in Australia) and how great a guy he was,” he said.

“It’s so sad. His life has been cut really short.”

“It wasn’t only a jockey and trainer relationship, he was part of the family.

“We shared a lot of wins together but mainly he was so charming. He was always kind to people, always had time.

“Even through the winter while he was in Australia we always kept in touch and if we had a win he would be the first person to text me and say ‘I watched the race’.

“He was definitely enjoying his time in Australia. He was just chasing his dreams, basically. He wanted to be a successful jockey. I’m sure he was on the right (path).

“Just a kind, really nice guy. A nice guy to deal with and always with a smile on his face, that’s how we want to remember him.”

A minute’s silence was observed at Kempton Park in England on Wednesday after the news of Cherchi’s death was made public, while jockeys wore black armbands in his memory.

A memorial will be held at All Saints Catholic Church in Liverpool, NSW next Monday.

Cherchi was thrown from the saddle when his horse Hasime came down at around halfway of the one-mile race in the Australian capital.

Cherchi's mount fell and brought down two other jockeys who walked away with only minor bumps and bruises, while the three horses were also unscathed.

On his last race before his fatal fall Cherchi recorded a 60-1 winner in a race at Gosford.