The horse racing world is in mourning after the tragic death of a 16-year-old apprentice jockey, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a horrific fall at a renowned Brazilian racecourse.
A Promising Career Cut Short
Joaquim Pavoski Dapper, a graduate of Brazil's jockey academy, had shown immense promise in his short career. He made a stunning debut at the iconic Gavea racecourse in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year, remarkably riding his first winner on September 8th. In his first week riding at the track, he secured that maiden victory and went on to ride a total of three winners, quickly marking himself as a rising talent highly regarded by professional colleagues.
The Fateful Race on December 9th
The tragedy occurred on December 9, 2025, during the final race of a nine-race card. Pavoski Dapper was aboard a filly named Sexy Lady. The horse was making ground in the straight and heading for a gap between two rivals when the incident happened. It appears the filly clipped heels, causing her to fall and throwing the young jockey head first into the ground.
Track medics attended to him immediately at the scene before he was rushed in a serious condition to the Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital. His condition was so critical that he was transferred four days later to Pasteur Hospital for further specialist care.
Community Mourns a Lost Talent
Despite the best efforts of medical staff, the Brazilian Jockey Club announced with deep regret that Joaquim Pavoski Dapper had died on Wednesday, December 17, eight days after the fall. A statement confirmed that brain death had been clinically declared that day.
The apprentice, known professionally as J. Pavoski, was originally from Faxinalzinho in Rio Grande do Sul. His father is a local tourism official and his mother serves as a councillor. From the age of 12, he had dedicated himself to horses, starting in straightaways before his professional debut at Gavea at just 16.
The Jockey Club's statement reiterated its "commitment to supporting sports professionals in all circumstances" and thanked everyone who had followed the young jockey's career. Pavoski Dapper was laid to rest in his hometown during a funeral ceremony on the Sunday following his death.
