- Tragedy occurred on Tuesday morning in Melbourne
- Paramedics were unable to save woman with CPR
Jockey turned strapper Peta Tait is being mourned by the Australian racing industry after she died in a freak accident at a leading stable on Tuesday morning.
Peta Tait couldn’t be saved by paramedics after she was kicked in the head by a horse while working as a stable hand at Cranbourne Training Centre in south-east Melbourne.
Tait was struck by the horse at around 7.30am while in the stables of trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
The ‘much loved’ 43-year-old was remembered as an ‘incredible person’ by her employers in a statement made on Wednesday.
‘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,’ the statement read.
‘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 Tait is pictured after she rode the winner in a race at Cranbourne, Victoria in 2019. She died at Cranbourne in a freak accident on Tuesday morning
The 43-year-old (pictured) has been remembered as an ‘incredible person’ who became a highly regarded member of the racing community she was a part of for almost 30 years
‘Peta was an incredible person who was dedicated to her role and will leave a long-standing legacy. We are heartbroken by her loss.’
Tait had been a highly regarded member of Victoria’s racing community for almost 30 years.
She started working as a jockey aged just 16 and rode 48 winners and more than 120 place-getters before retiring in 2019.
Tait also worked as a stable employee and track rider from 2006, in addition to being a strapper on race days.
Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison also paid tribute in a statement.
‘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,’ 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 raceday.
Tait (pictured left) retired as a jockey in 2019 after riding 48 winners
‘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.’
Paramedics performed CPR on Tait after responding to a call at about 7.50am but were unable to save her, Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a woman in Cranbourne on 1 July,’ the statement read.
‘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 death is not being treat as suspicious and WorkSafe has been notified.’
