The Victorian racing community is in shock after the tragic death of former jockey Peta Tait, who died on Tuesday morning at Cranbourne Training Centre.
Tait, 43, was a stable hand at the Cranbourne Training Centre when the freak accident occurred. According to Victoria Police, CPR was performed, but the stable employee could not be revived.
A Well-Known Figure in the Racing Community
Peta Tait was a prominent and active member of the Victorian racing community for nearly three decades.
She first got her license as a picnic jockey at the age of 16 and continued to work full-time as a trackwork rider while assisting several trainers from Cranbourne and the Gippsland area.
RV’s statement revealed that Tait “licensed as a picnic jockey from 1998 to 2019 riding 48 winners, including the 2013 Hinnomunjie Cup aboard Gaudalcanal, and over 120 placegetters in that time.”
Peta’s Passion for Horses
Aaron Morrison, RV chief executive, extended the industry’s condolences to those close to Tait, saying, “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.”
Morrison added, “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.”
Tait’s employer, Busuttin Racing, also expressed their devastation, saying, “Peta was an incredible person who was dedicated to her role and will leave a long-standing legacy. We are heartbroken by her loss.”