Latest news with #LincolnFarms
Otago Daily Times
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Grandma grieves loss of talented teenage jockey
Ngakau Hailey's grandmother says she wants him to be remembered as a young man who loved his whānau, loved life, and put his whole heart and soul into whatever he did. The teen jockey is due to be laid to rest on Monday as the racing community continues to absorb the shock of his death. Hailey, 18, died after his dirt bike collided with a car at the intersection of Willoughby and Mill Street in Whitiora about 3.25pm on Wednesday. Hailey suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital, where he later died. His grandmother, Linda Gough, said Hailey brought joy and happiness everywhere he went. "Our hearts have been shattered at losing our beautiful grandson Ngakau Sonny-Bill Hailey. He loved his whānau, and we all loved him. We will always miss you boy," she said. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) said the news has brought great sadness to all corners of the industry. "Ngakau had a bright future ahead of him, and his passing is a heartbreaking loss," said NZTR's head of licensing & registrations, Matthew Williamson. Hailey was said to be a natural in the saddle, a gifted rider who had already achieved 46 career wins in just over two years, including 18 this season alone. "On behalf of everyone at NZTR and across the wider industry, we extend our deepest condolences to Ngakau's family, friends, and the many people who knew and rode alongside him. We will ensure support is available to those who need it," said Williamson. NZTR said support is being offered to fellow riders and other industry participants through NZTR's OnTrack support services, the industry's wellness programme. Hailey was jockey on Billy Lincoln, a four-year-old colt owned by Lincoln Farms. Lincoln Farms' boss John Street said losing Hailey at such a young age was a terrible blow. Street said Hailey's dream to become a NRL player was foiled because he never grew but when he tried trackwork riding Hailey said he fell in love. On its website, Waikato Junior Rugby League said Hailey had been a talented young league player and a young boy who loved giving anything and everything a go. Hailey's coffin has been taken to his home until his funeral. A Givealittle page set up by fellow jockey Wiremu Pinn has also been set up to help Hailey's family pay for the funeral, with more than $22,500 donated by Friday morning.
1News
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- 1News
Young jockey Ngakau Hailey killed in Hamilton crash
A young jockey has been named as the victim of a serious dirtbike crash in Hamilton. Ngakau Hailey, 18, died after he collided with a car at the intersection of Willoughby and Mill Street in Whitiora about 3.25pm. Hailey was taken to hospital with critical injuries, where he later died. Two young people inside the car were also taken to hospital with moderate injuries. Lincoln Farms' boss John Street paid tribute to Hailey, and recalled the first time meeting him when he rode their horse Billy Lincoln to victory at Pukekohe. ADVERTISEMENT "It was a great ride and I actually met his mother after the race. She had all the family there from Gisborne," he said on the company's website. "When Lynne and I left the course we saw her with all the kids in a van and went over to say hello. I gave her $200 so they could all have KFC for lunch and she was over the moon." A Givealittle page has also been set up to help Hailey's family pay for the funeral, with over $12,000 donated as of midday Thursday. "A naturally gifted young man with a bright future taken away from us so soon," the page said. Lincoln Farms said jockeys are expected to hold a special commemoration for Hailey at Thursday's race meeting in Cambridge.
RNZ News
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Young jockey Ngakau Hailey killed in dirtbike crash in Hamilton
Ngakau Hailey, 18, was killed in Whitiora on Wednesday. Photo: Givealittle A young jockey has been named as the victim of a serious dirtbike crash in Hamilton. Ngakau Hailey, 18, died after he collided with a car at the intersection of Willoughby and Mill Street in Whitiora about 3.25pm. Hailey was taken to hospital with critical injuries, where he later died. Two young people inside the car were also taken to hospital with moderate injuries. Lincoln Farms' boss John Street paid tribute to Hailey, and recalled the first time meeting him when he rode their horse Billy Lincoln to victory at Pukekohe. "It was a great ride and I actually met his mother after the race. She had all the family there from Gisborne," he said on the company's website. "When Lynne and I left the course we saw her with all the kids in a van and went over to say hello. I gave her $200 so they could all have KFC for lunch and she was over the moon." A Givealittle page has also been set up to help Hailey's family pay for the funeral, with over $12,000 donated as of midday Thursday. "A naturally gifted young man with a bright future taken away from us so soon," the page said. Lincoln Farms said jockeys are expected to hold a special commemoration for Hailey at Thursday's race meeting in Cambridge. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
