By Brendan Rees
“Much loved” apprentice jockey Mikaela Claridge has been remembered as an “outgoing young lady with a huge smile.”
The 22-year-old of Clyde, who got married about four months ago, died after a freak accident at Cranbourne Training Centre on Friday 30 August.
Ms Claridge had been riding with a colleague on the sand trails about 4.35am when she fell from her horse.
An on-course paramedic quickly came to her aid but she was unable to be revived.
Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Neil Bainbridge, said the racing industry was “deeply saddened.”
“On behalf of the Club, I wish to extend our sincere condolences to Mikaela’s family and friends on her tragic passing,” he said.
“She was a popular member of the Cranbourne racing community and will be sadly missed.”
Cranbourne trainer Trent Busuttin described the incident as “heartbreaking.”
“It’s a terrible situation,” he said. “Obviously your main thoughts are with family and her friends and her partner.”
Christine Reeve, who is a track-work rider at the Cranbourne Racecourse, said she had been riding about the time the incident occurred.
“It’s just a very, very sad and tragic morning for everybody,” she said last Friday.
“You just don’t expect it to happen.”
Ms Claridge started her apprenticeship in 2015 however a back injury saw her riding career put on hold during which time she completed a Bachelor of Primary Education degree.
She returned to the saddle in 2017 having moved to Echuca under the trainers Donna Gaskin and Mick Cornish.
The following year Ms Claridge made her debut race at Wangaratta on King’s Hand which provided her first victory at Echuca about a month later.
She transferred her apprenticeship to trainer Ken Keys at Cranbourne, winning 28 races – the most recent at Sale.
Mr Cornish said Ms Claridge’s dedication was “second to none” and she always wanted “give herself more opportunities”.
“It makes it pretty hard especially for such a young kid, so early in her career,” he said.
Mr Cornish said a horse “got spooked” the morning Ms Claridge was killed after celebrating her birthday only two weeks earlier.
“It was just unfortunate how she fell … everyone is pulling together now which is good.”
Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson, said Ms Claridge was “a much loved and valuable member” of the racing community.
“On behalf of the Victorian racing industry, I would like to extend our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Mikaela’s family and friends on the tragic news of her passing,” Mr Thompson said.
A race meeting was cancelled at Pakenham last Friday as a mark of respect for the young rider and her family.
Worksafe are investigating and police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
