A JOCKEY has tragically died aged just 22 after a fatal fall from a horse during a race.

Pietro Alberto Brocca suffered severe injuries when his mount Ziupascale tripped over.

The jockey was rushed to hospital unconscious, with a serious head injury and a broken back, according to reports.

He was placed in a coma before succumbing to his injuries.

Brocca, who was from Sardinia and had 11 wins from 61 races, fell on the home bend at San Rossore racecourse in Pisa, Italy, last Thursday.

The incident-packed contest saw another jockey thrown off his horse in the first few seconds.

Brocca, the son of renowned trainer Francesco Brocca, died on Sunday.

A post on the racecourse's Facebook page read: "We are all disheartened and speechless for the passing of Pietro Alberto Brocca, close to his family and all his friends in pain."

And the mayor of Mores, where Brocca lived, described the 'huge loss' the whole community felt at his passing.

Peppino Ibba told Unione Sarda: "Pietro Alberto was a really good boy.

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"I always remember him proud from riding his horses. For us it is a huge loss.

"On behalf of the whole community I offer my deepest condolences to the family."

One Twitter user wrote: "Such sad news regarding Italian jockey Pietro Alberto Brocca. Thinking of his family, friends and colleagues. RIP Pietro."

Brocca is the second jockey to lose his life during a race this month.

Jitendra Singh, 24, an apprentice jockey in India, was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

Singh, who was from Rajasthan, a state in northern India, had been competing in a race at Hyderabad Race Club when the tragedy occurred.

Chaderghat inspecter of police P Sateesh said: "About ten seconds into the race Jitendra fell from the horse, Gold Label.

"He was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead on arrival.

"We suspect that he was trampled by horses and suffered internal injuries."

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