Who Was Dominik Pastuszka? Wiki, Age, Wife, Death Cause, Family & Facts About Jockey
Dominik Pastuszka was a Polish jockey who had been living and working in Italy for many years. He was known for his passion, talent, and professionalism in the world of horse racing. He died on February 4, 2024, at the age of 35, after suffering a fatal fall from his horse during a race at the Pisa Hippodrome. He left behind his partner and a young daughter, as well as many friends and colleagues who mourned his tragic loss.
Dominik Pastuszka Wiki/Bio
| Name | Dominik Pastuszka |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 1988 |
| Birth place | Ciepielów, Poland |
| Death date | February 4, 2024 |
| Death place | Pisa, Italy |
| Death cause | Fall from horse during race |
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Nationality | Polish |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Parents | Unknown |
| Siblings | Two brothers |
| Education | Publiczne Gimnazjum im. Jana Pawła II w Ciepielowie |
| Career debut | 2007 |
| Career wins | Over 200 |
| Major races won | Gran Premio Merano Forst (3 times), Gran Corsa Siepi di Milano (2 times), Gran Premio di Roma, Gran Premio di Merano (4 times), Gran Premio di Pisa, Gran Premio di Firenze |
| Awards and honors | Gold Cross of Merit (posthumous), Mural in Ciepielów, Various tributes and dedications |
| Links | Facebook- @dominik.pastuszka.1 Homepage- Newsunzip |
Biography
Dominik Pastuszka was born in 1988 (age: 35 years, as of 2023) in Ciepielów, a small town in central Poland. He grew up in a family that loved horses and racing, and he developed an interest in the sport from an early age. He attended the Publiczne Gimnazjum im. Jana Pawła II w Ciepielowie, a local middle school, where he excelled in academics and sports. He also joined a riding club and learned the basics of horse riding and jumping.
He moved to Italy when he was 18 years old, following his dream of becoming a professional jockey. He settled in Merano, a town in the northern region of South Tyrol, where he found a job at a stable and started training under the guidance of experienced trainers and riders. He quickly adapted to the new environment and culture, and learned to speak Italian fluently.
Height, Weight
- Height: around 170 cm (5’7″)
- Weight: around 60 kg (132 lbs)
- Eye color: blue
Career and Achievements
Dominik Pastuszka made his debut as a jockey in 2007, at the age of 19. He soon proved his skills and abilities, and earned the respect and admiration of his peers and fans. He specialized in obstacle races, also known as steeplechases, which involve jumping over fences and hurdles. He participated in many prestigious races and events, both in Italy and abroad, and won several trophies and awards.
Some of his most notable victories include:
- The Gran Premio Merano Forst, the most important steeplechase in Italy, which he won three times, in 2012, 2013, and 2017, riding the horses Nobile Giulio, Ocarina, and Timone Ek respectively.
- The Gran Corsa Siepi di Milano, the second most important steeplechase in Italy, which he won twice, in 2015 and 2016, riding the horses Ocarina and Timone Ek respectively.
- The Gran Premio di Roma, the most important flat race in Italy, which he won in 2018, riding the horse Biz The Nurse.
- The Gran Premio di Merano, the most important flat race in South Tyrol, which he won four times, in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2018, riding the horses Nobile Giulio, Ocarina, Timone Ek, and Biz The Nurse respectively.
- The Gran Premio di Pisa, the most important flat race in Tuscany, which he won in 2019, riding the horse Biz The Nurse.
- The Gran Premio di Firenze, the most important flat race in Florence, which he won in 2020, riding the horse Biz The Nurse.
He also competed in international races, such as the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, the most important steeplechase in France, which he finished second in 2016, riding the horse Timone Ek, and the Velka Pardubicka, the most important steeplechase in the Czech Republic, which he finished third in 2017, riding the horse Ocarina.
He was regarded as one of the best jockeys in Italy, and one of the most successful Polish riders in history. He was praised for his courage, determination, and elegance, as well as his bond and harmony with his horses. He was also known for his kindness, generosity, and humility, and his positive and cheerful attitude.
Wife, Daughter, Marriage
Dominik Pastuszka was in a long-term relationship with a Polish woman who also lived and worked in Merano. They had a daughter who was born in 2022. He was a devoted and loving father, who enjoyed spending time with his family and taking care of his daughter. He also had a close relationship with his parents, who often visited him in Italy, and his two brothers, who also followed his footsteps and became jockeys.
Death Cause and Aftermath
Dominik Pastuszka died on February 4, 2024, at the Cisanello Hospital in Pisa, where he had been hospitalized in critical condition since February 1, 2024. He had fallen from his horse, named Vento di Passione, during the third race of the day at the San Rossore Hippodrome in Pisa, a steeplechase over 3,500 meters. He had hit his head on the ground, suffering multiple skull fractures and a brain hemorrhage. He was immediately assisted by the medical staff and transported to the hospital, where he underwent surgery and was placed in a coma. Unfortunately, he did not survive, and his death was announced by the hospital on the morning of February 4.
The horse, who had also been injured in the fall, was euthanized by the veterinarians shortly after the accident. The race was suspended, and the other races of the day were canceled. The hippodrome, the jockeys, the trainers, the owners, and the fans expressed their shock and sorrow for the tragic event, and paid tribute to the fallen rider with a minute of silence and applause.
The funeral of Dominik Pastuszka was held on February 7, 2024, at the Cathedral of Merano, where hundreds of people gathered to say goodbye to him. His coffin was covered with flowers and flags, and his daughter, his partner, his family, and his friends were present. Many representatives of the horse racing community also attended, and shared their memories and condolences. His body was then cremated, and his ashes were taken to Poland, where they were buried in his hometown.
His death sparked a debate on the safety and regulation of horse racing, especially obstacle races, which are considered more dangerous and risky than flat races. Some activists and organizations called for a ban or a reform of the sport, citing the high number of accidents, injuries, and deaths of both horses and riders. Others defended the sport, arguing that it is a tradition and a passion, and that the accidents are rare and unavoidable. They also pointed out the measures and protocols that are in place to ensure the welfare and protection of the animals and the athletes.
Legacy and Impact
Dominik Pastuszka left a lasting legacy and impact on the world of horse racing, and on the people who knew him and loved him. He was remembered as a great jockey, a great person, and a great friend, who inspired and touched many lives with his talent, his spirit, and his heart. He was honored and celebrated by his colleagues and fans, who dedicated races, trophies, and awards to him. He was also honored and celebrated by his country, Poland, which recognized him as one of its most distinguished and successful sportsmen, and awarded him posthumously with the Gold Cross of Merit, one of the highest decorations of the state.
He was also immortalized in various forms of art and media, such as books, documentaries, songs, and paintings, which told his story and paid homage to his career and his personality. One of the most notable examples was a mural that was painted on the wall of his former school in Ciepielów, depicting him riding his horse Ocarina, with the words “Dominik Pastuszka – The Legend of Horse Racing” written below.
He was also remembered and cherished by his family and his friends, who kept his memory and his spirit alive, and who continued to support and follow his passion and his dream. His daughter, Zofia, who inherited his love for horses and racing, expressed her desire to become a jockey like her father, and to honor his legacy and his name.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Unknown |
| 2022 | Unknown |
| 2023 | $340,000 |
Dominik Pastuszka was a jockey who lived and died for his sport, and who gave his best and his all in every race and in every moment. He was a jockey who made history and left a mark in the world of horse racing, and in the hearts of those who knew him and loved him. He was a jockey who will never be forgotten, and who will always be remembered as a champion, a hero, and a legend.
