Italian jockey Daniele Porcu has died aged 34, weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.

Porcu rode at the Japan Cup meeting in late November but on December 8 he revealed his illness on Facebook.

A Group One winner in his native Italy, Porcu moved permanently to Germany after the 2008 season and rode there with success, particularly for trainer Peter Schiergen.

“He was a very good jockey and I will miss him,” Schiergen told the Racing Post.

“He was always happy and was very good in the mornings as well as on the racetrack.”

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