A GoFundMe fundraising page set up in memory of jockey Joaquim Pavoski Dapper has seen a surge in donations following his sudden and tragic death at age 16, leaving the jockeying world grieving the loss of one of its rising stars “when the whole world was in his hands”.
The Brazilian horse racing community, known as turfe, is reeling from the heartbreaking loss of Joaquim Pavoski Dapper, a 16-year-old apprentice jockey whose promising career was cut short in a devastating accident.
On December 9, 2025, during the final race of the day at the iconic Hipódromo da Gávea in Rio de Janeiro, Joaquim fell from his mount, Sexy Lady, in the closing meters of the straight.
Video footage from the official broadcast captured the horrifying moment as the young rider lost his balance amid the thundering pack, tumbling to the ground just as victory seemed within reach.
He was rushed to hospital in critical condition, but despite intensive medical care, brain death was confirmed on December 17, with formal procedures completed the following day.
Born in the small town of Faxinalzinho in northern Rio Grande do Sul—a community of just around 2,500 residents—Joaquim embodied the dreams of many young Brazilians passionate about horse racing.
He began his journey in the sport at the tender age of 12, competing in straight-track races in the southern regions before relocating to Rio to train at the prestigious jockey academy. Known on the tracks as J.
Pavoski, he made his professional debut at Gávea in September 2025, remarkably winning on his very first ride. In the short months that followed, he secured three victories, earning praise from peers and experts alike for his natural talent, dedication, and composure under pressure.
Colleagues described him as a “promising star” with a bright future, one who rode with the intensity and joy of someone chasing a lifelong passion.
Joaquim was the son of Ivonei Dapper, the local secretary of Commerce and Tourism in Faxinalzinho, and Jucélia Pavoski Dapper, a town councillor.
His father later reflected in interviews that his son “lived with such intensity, as if he knew his time was limited,” fulfilling a childhood dream by competing at the highest level in Rio.
The family, deeply rooted in their community, received an outpouring of support from local authorities, with the municipality issuing statements of profound sorrow and condolences.
The Jockey Club Brasileiro, the governing body of the sport, released a poignant statement expressing deep regret: “We reiterate our commitment to supporting sports professionals in all circumstances and thank everyone who followed the trajectory of J.
Pavoski.” The accident, described by some as a rare fatality in recent Carioca turf racing—the last similar incident dating back decades—has sparked discussions about safety in the high-risk world of jockeying, where falls are commonplace but tragic outcomes mercifully infrequent.
In the days following the confirmation of his passing, tributes flooded social media and racing forums. Friends and fellow jockeys remembered Joaquim as a kind, smiling young man with a huge heart, always respectful and full of life.
One colleague shared: “We lost a good boy, vain in the best way, loving, always with a smile and an enormous heart.
He did what he loved with dedication.” His funeral was held in Faxinalzinho, drawing crowds from the tight-knit community and the wider turfe world, who gathered to honor a life ended far too soon.
Amid the grief, a fundraising initiative launched in his memory has captured the hearts of supporters worldwide. While details of the campaign emphasize honoring Joaquim’s legacy—potentially aiding his family with funeral costs, medical expenses from his hospitalization, or even establishing a scholarship for young jockeys—the response has been overwhelming.
Donations surged in the week leading up to Christmas 2025, with contributions pouring in from racing enthusiasts, local residents, and international followers touched by the story of a teenager whose potential seemed boundless.
The phrase echoing through many messages—”when the whole world was in his hands”—captures the poignant irony: at 16, Joaquim had just begun to grasp the reins of a dazzling career, only for it to slip away in an instant.
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in horse racing, a sport that demands courage, skill, and an unbreakable bond between rider and horse.
Joaquim Pavoski Dapper’s brief but brilliant trajectory inspired many, proving that talent and determination can propel even the youngest from rural tracks to the grand stages. As the turfe community mourns, his memory endures as a symbol of unfulfilled promise and the fragile beauty of pursuing one’s dreams.
The surge in support for the memorial fundraiser reflects not just sorrow, but a collective desire to ensure his story continues to motivate future generations of jockeys.
In the words of those who knew him best, Joaquim lived fully, loved deeply, and left an indelible mark on the sport he adored.
