Champion jockey killed by horse in freak accident as tributes pour in
The tragedy unfolded at a stables on Tuesday morning
Peta Tait (left) has died
(Image: Natasha Morello/Racing Photos via Getty Images )
Former champion jockey Peta Tait has tragically died at the age of 43 after being kicked in the head by a horse.
Tait, who rode 48 winners between 1998 and 2019 before becoming a stable hand, was working at a stables in Cranbourne, south-east Melbourne, when the freak accident unfolded on Tuesday morning. According to emergency services, she was struck by the horse at around 7.30am and, while attempts were made by paramedics to save her life, she sadly died from her injuries.
A statement from Tait's employers on Wednesday read: "It is with tremendous sadness that Busuttin Racing confirm the passing of much loved team member Peta Tait following a tragic accident at our Cranbourne stable yesterday morning.
"At this time our thoughts are with those nearest and dearest to Peta, her immediate family and many friends, both inside and outside of the racing industry, as well as her team of colleagues of whom she had maintained strong personal and professional relationships.
"Peta was an incredible person who was dedicated to her role and will leave a long-standing legacy. We are heartbroken by her loss."
Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison also paid tribute to Tait as he said: "On behalf of the Victorian racing industry, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Peta's family, friends and work colleagues on the tragic news of her passing.
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"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 raceday.
"She was also a popular member of the picnic racing circuit, enjoying the unique thrill of competing in races as an amateur jockey and doing so with success."
Tait's fellow jockey Daniel Moor described her as "a one in a million person", adding that she would be "very sadly missed".
"It's difficult to find the words to describe a one in a million person, but that's exactly who Peta was," he wrote on X.
"So dedicated to her job and always so helpful. Constantly putting others before herself. She will be very sadly missed."
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A statement from Victoria Police read: "Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a woman in Cranbourne on 1 July.
"Emergency services were called to a training facility on Cemetery Road just after 7.30am following reports a woman had been kicked by a horse in stables.
"CPR was performed but the yet to be formally identified woman has died at the scene," the statement added. "The death is not being treat as suspicious and WorkSafe has been notified."
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