A 43-year-old female stable employee, who had an “incredible” amateur race riding career, has died at the Cranbourne Training Centre on the morning of Tuesday 1 July.
Emergency services were called to the training facility on Cemetery Road just after 7.30am following reports that a woman had been kicked by a horse in the stables.
CPR was performed, but the woman died at the scene.
The death is not being treated as suspicious, and WorkSafe has been notified.
Racing Victoria (RV) confirmed the death of registered stable employee Peta Tait in a statement.
“It is with great sadness that RV and Southside Racing acknowledge the passing of registered stable employee Peta Tait as a result of injuries sustained in an accident at the Cranbourne Training Centre yesterday morning,” RV stated.
“Peta sustained a fatal injury having been injured by a horse while working at the stables of her employer. The 43-year-old was immediately attended to by the on-site paramedic but was tragically unable to be saved.”
RV chief executive Aaron Morrison 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.
“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.
“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.”
Southside Racing chief executive Neil Bainbridge said Southside Racing and the Cranbourne racing community are deeply saddened by this tragic event.
“We are providing support to Peta’s employer, their staff and our staff who have been greatly affected by this terrible accident that occurred in the stables,” he said.
“On behalf of everyone at Southside Racing, I wish to extend our sincere condolences to Peta’s family and friends on her tragic passing.
“Peta was a well-known and liked member of our community, and her absence will be felt by lots of people.”
Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) chief executive Matt Hyland said: “The VJA and our members extend our condolences to the family and friends of former rider Peta Tait.
“Peta was a very popular rider on the picnic circuit and around the south-east of the state where she rode trackwork.”
Busuttin Racing, whose stables are located at Cranbourne Training Centre, confirmed the passing of its “much-loved” team member Peta Tait.
“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,” the horse trainer posted on its Facebook.
“Peta was an incredible person who was dedicated to her role and will leave a long-standing legacy. We are heartbroken by her loss.
“We would like to thank those who have taken the time to reach out to check on our team’s welfare and for the respect shown to all in what are the hardest of circumstances.
“We are continuing to work with both Racing Victoria and Southside Racing to ensure all staff are provided with counselling and support.”
According to RV, Peta was an active member of the Victorian racing community for the best part of three decades, having been first licensed as a picnic jockey at the age of 16.
She forged a career as a picnic jockey whilst working full-time as a trackwork rider and assistant for a number of trainers at Cranbourne and throughout Gippsland.
Peta was licensed as a picnic jockey from 1998 to 2019, riding 48 winners, including the 2013 Hinnomunjie Cup aboard Guadalcanal, and over 120 placegetters in that time.
She enjoyed an incredible end to her amateur race riding career when she won the annual picnic feature, the Cranbourne Corinthian (1200m), on Unruly Student at her final race ride on 11 October 2019.
Peta was registered as a stable employee with RV since 2006, playing a key role in the training and education of horses in her capacity as a trackwork rider. She was also a regular feature at race meetings, strapping horses for numerous stables.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death.
Members of the racing industry are encouraged to utilise the free, confidential counselling service STABLELINE on 1300 520 122 if they are in need of support at this tragic time.
