'One in a million' female jockey dies aged 43 after being kicked in head by horse

The horse racing world has been left in mourning after ex-jockey Peta Tait died at the age of 43 after being kicked in the head by a horse. A statement from her 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."

Jockey Daniel Moor wrote on X: "It’s difficult to find the words to describe a one in a million person, but that’s exactly who Peta was. So dedicated to her job and always so helpful. Constantly putting others before herself. She will be very sadly missed."

Tait was working as a stable hand at Cranbourne Training Centre in south-east Melbourne on Tuesday when the accident happened. She was struck at around 7:30am, with paramedics arriving around 20 minutes later to perform CPR but they were unfortunately unable to save her.

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A statement from VictoriaPoliceread: "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 death is not being treat as suspicious and WorkSafe has been notified."

Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison also paid tribute to Tait. "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.

"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 rode 48 winners between 1998 and 2019 as a jocket before becoming involved as a stable hand. She was employed by trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.