Father of Chris Caserta’s partner says search for his body ‘has been horrendous’

Steven Wise says his family has not come to terms with the death of his daughter’s long-term partner, jockey Chris Caserta – and “I don’t know when we will”.

Steven Wise says his family has not come to terms with the death of his daughter’s long-term partner, jockey Chris Caserta – and “I don’t know when we will”.

“It has been horrendous,” Murwillumbah-based horse trainer Steven Wise said of the time since Caserta went missing after a late night swim at Surfers Paradise on Wednesday night with trackwork rider Amy Graham.

“It is something we haven’t come to terms with yet and I don’t know when we will.

“It is something pretty horrendous that happens in the world but you don’t think it will happen to you and when it does you can’t believe it.”

Police recovered his body 200m offshore near the sand pumping jetty in Main Beach at 8.45am on Friday morning, ending a frantic 36-hour search.

The body has been formally identified as Mr Caserta and police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Wise said his daughter Brittany, who has been in a relationship with Caserta for 2½ years, was “not really good but that is to be expected in the circumstances.”

The trainer revealed the family was notified of Caserta’s disappearance in the late hours of Wednesday night and that they had spent hours on end since on the foreshore looking for him.

“You just lose track of time when these things happen,” Wise said.

“We were immediately down by the beach for the last day-and-a-half. We have spent our time down there communicating with police, search and rescue and everyone else.

“We were hoping and praying that he may have been found alive. Unfortunately we have received the news that he hasn’t.”

Apprentice and trackwork rider Amy Graham went for a late-night swim with Caserta. Picture: Supplied

While police confirmed on Thursday afternoon there was no longer hope of finding Caserta alive, it was confirmed Caserta’s family in Victoria had been advised of the discovery on Friday morning.

The Victorian Jockeys’ Association released a statement Friday morning saying: “It is with great sadness the VJA can confirm the family have advised that police have found the body of Chris Caserta. RIP.”

The Australian Jockeys Association had originally hoped to fly Caserta’s family to Queensland in wake of the tragedy by the tough Covid-19 border measures put in place by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk quickly ended any hope of that.

Caserta’s last winner Gem Of The Lochs – which is part owned by his partner Brittany Wise – race at Ipswich on Friday today, finishing fourth under jockey Jasmine Cornish.

Wise revealed Caserta made the selfless decision to get off the horse, despite winning on her last start.

“To let you know how selfless he is, as soon as we knew we were going to this race, he said she is going to get some weight and I think she deserves every chance to win three in a row so I think you should claim,” Wise told RadioTAB.

“(Caserta said) I will organise the perfect apprentice and I will talk to her and give her the details. He wrote out the details and sent it to her about exactly how to ride the horse.”

Police search for Caserta on Thursday. Picture: Adam Head

Wise and Caserta first crossed paths in Albury, NSW, where the jockey rode for his stable.

It lead to the start of his relationship with Brittany Wise and after completing his jockeys apprenticeship, Caserta moved to Queensland at the end of last year.

“He wasn’t just a typical jockey,” Steven Wise said.

“He was unique. He had an amazing personality and he was a caring, kind sort of guy. He was honest and genuine.”

Caserta’s last race win came on November 13 at the Gold Coast where he lead Wise’s Gem Of The Lochs to victory.

It was his second straight win on the horse who will race again on Friday at Ipswich at 2.17pm.

“We weren’t going to run her but after thinking about it and talking with the family we decided to go ahead,” Wise said.

“Chris desperately wanted her to race because she is going for a third-straight win.

“In Chris’ honour we will run her and hopefully she can live up to his last start.

“He wasn’t going to be riding her. He took himself off her because she was going up in weight considerably after her last win so Chris did the right thing and told us to put an apprentice on so they could claim some weight and take some of the load off.”

The Queensland Jockeys’ Association has arranged for black armbands to be worn across the weekend, including Friday, in honour of Caserta’s last win.

Caserta riding Gem Of The Lochs to victory last month.

Racing Queensland said Caserta’s death was being felt across the entire racing community.

“First and foremost, our sincerest condolences are extended to the Caserta family and our thoughts are with them at this tragic time,” Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said.

“The loss of any life is very sad, and at just 26 and with a bright future ahead of him, his loss will be strongly felt by the entire racing community, particularly the Gold Coast fraternity.

“In lieu of the circumstances, Racing Queensland will provide support services for industry participants who are grieving Chris’ loss. It’s important that we rally together and for our participants to be supported.

“We were all hoping that Chris would be found safe and well, but our worst fears have been confirmed, and as an industry, we will grieve his loss.”

Originally published as Father of Chris Caserta’s partner says search for his body ‘has been horrendous’