‘One in a million' former jockey dies aged 43 after being kicked in head by horse as pal says ‘we lost our little girl'
Heartbroken friends said they had 'lost their little girl' as they came to terms with the shock passing of Australian Peta Tait.
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Tait rode 48 winners between 1998 and 2019 and had been working as a stable lass and work rider since giving up race-riding.
She was going about her normal business for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young when struck in the head at Cranbourne Training Centre in south-east Melbourne earlier this week.
Paramedics rushed to the scene and performed CPR but she could not be saved.
The trainers said in a statement: "Peta was an incredible person who was dedicated to her role and will leave a longstanding legacy. We are heartbroken by her loss."
Jockey Daniel Moor wrote on X: "It's difficult to find the words to describe a one in a million person, but that's exactly who Peta was.
"So dedicated to her job and always so helpful. Constantly putting others before herself. She will be very sadly missed."
Police are investigating the circumstances around the incident - although it was believed to be a 'tragic accident'.
Tait rode her first ever winner for trainer Reg Manning aged 16 and he said: "It was just a freak accident.
"It was not as if she did anything wrong, or it was a bad horse, it just kicked out for whatever reason.
"I couldn't have kids, but I have got three girls that all call me 'Dad' from different families.
"We helped all of them growing up and Peta was no different - we were very close.
"Fellow trainers Ian and Jan Hutchins were like family to her as well. She learnt a lot from them.
"They treated her very well, and they will be just as sad as I am that we have lost our little girl."
Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison said: "This terrible accident serves as an untimely reminder of the thousands of unsung heroes working in stables each day to provide the best possible care to our racehorses.
"Like all within our industry, Peta loved horses and she forged a career working with them, helping numerous trainers prepare their horses as a trackwork rider or strapping them on race day.
"Peta made a valuable contribution to Victorian racing over more than 25 years and her sudden passing will be felt by many, particularly in Cranbourne where she was based."
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