Apprentice jockey Mikaela Claridge killed in tragic track fall at Cranbourne
The racing world is reeling after the tragic death of apprentice jockey Mikaela Claridge during a training fall at Cranbourne. The young rider had built a promising career and is being remembered for her bright smile and love of her sport.
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Twenty-two-year-old apprentice jockey Mikaela Claridge has been tragically killed in a trackwork accident, with family, friends and racing figures paying tribute to the talented and “beautiful” girl.
Mikaela, 22, fell from her horse on the sand trails at the Cranbourne Training Centre early this morning.
It is understood the circumstances of the fall were not unusual, and witnesses expected the rider to stand up and walk away.
Her mentor, Echuca trainer Donna Gaskin, said Ms Claridge was not only a good worker but more like a member of her family.
“She was a great kid and that’s the saddest bit about it, she was just a very young lady that had the rest of her life ahead of her,” Ms Gaskin said.
Gaskin, who guided Ms Claridge for more than two years, said the “bright and bubbly” young apprentice was “like another kid to us”.
“She was a great kid and that’s the saddest bit about it, she’s just a very young lady that had the rest of her life ahead of her,” Ms Gaskin told the Herald Sun.
“You experience a lot of highs in this industry, but when you experience the lows like this, they’re shocking.”
“It took a bit of hard work getting her apprenticeship. There was a fair few downs in it, kept knocking her back there for a little while, but once she got her very first ride she nearly won,” Ms Gaskin said.
“Even though she was an apprentice, we treated her like our family.”
Victorian Jockeys’ Association chief Matt Hyland said racing will go on but with a heavy heart.
Hyland said fellow jockeys were shocked with the passing of Claridge who was “very popular with her fellow jockeys.”
“She was really starting to make her way as a jockey and was on the cusp of a burgeoning career.”
“People need to remember she was doing something she loved and her career was blossoming.”
“Such a beautiful girl taken far too soon,” a post to social media said.
“A smile that would light up any room, so much potential and a whole life ahead of her.”
Another post described the incident as “tragic”.
“Tragic scenes at Cranbourne this morning, my condolences go out to her family, friends and work colleagues,” another tribute said.
“A beautiful young girl taken away too early doing what she loves.”
Jockey Ben Allen said he first met Mikaela Claridge in 2014 when they both started a Racing Victoria apprenticeship.
“She was a pretty bubbly kind of girl,” he told the Herald Sun.
“Always smiling, never heard her spoke a bad word.
“She was pretty quiet, kept to herself, was always happy.
“In apprentice school she got along with everyone.”
Mr Allen said she had only really started “finding her rhythm” in the racing world.
“She had only just started her career,” he said.
“She had moved to Cranbourne for more opportunities.
“She was pretty young, just started to get in her rhythm.
“When anything happens like this in the racing industry it takes a fair bit out of everyone. It is a sickening feeling when you get told that.
“It’s pretty sad especially because she is so young.”
How the tragedy unfolded
The 22-year-old Clyde woman was riding during routine trackwork when she fell at 4.35am.
Trainer Ken Keys said Claridge was on a “social ride” with another female jockey on the popular bush track known as the “trails” when “something” spooked their respective mounts.
The “very pleasant” hoop, with “genuine natural ability”, sustained serious life-threatening injuries in the slow-speed fall.
“They were just trotting, a social ride, just trotting,” a devastated Cranbourne trainer told the Herald Sun.
“Something took their (horses’) eye and they put the brakes on, it basically should have been a simple fall.
“They weren’t in a canter at that stage and something (spooked) the horses.
“Both horses shied at the same thing, whatever that thing was, it could’ve been anything, you wouldn’t know.”
The uninjured rider, after checking on her friend, alerted the on-course paramedic and emergency services within minutes of the incident.
“Full credit to the complex, they were there within minutes, ambulances were there within minutes,” the trainer said.
Trackwork rider Molly Edwards said when she turned up at 4.45am she saw ambulances at the track.
“I could tell from the atmosphere something wasn’t quite right,” she said.
“We didn’t understand the situation fully, didn’t realise the severity obviously. We decided it was disrespectful to ride so we didn’t ride or exercise any horses.
“They shut the tracks. Everyone was just in shock, completely eerie atmosphere here.
“It was horrible. People were crying, it was just so upsetting. For me, I’m a young girl too, that could happen to any of us.
Incredibly sad news.. my thoughts and prayers with all concerned 🙠https://t.co/D3VE3R9ar2
— Katelyn Mallyon (@katelynmallyon) August 29, 2019
“It’s just so sad. Just complete freak horrible accident.”
Mikaela’s riding career
Mikaela was apprenticed to trainer Allan Clarke at Hamilton in 2015 but suffered a back injury and put her career on hold.
While she recovered Mikaela completed a Bachelor of Primary Education.
She returned to the saddle in 2017 with trainers Donna Gaskin and Mick Cornish at Echuca.
Mikaela’s riding debut was at Wangaratta last year on King’s Hand, finishing second.
Her first win was also on King’s Hand, a month later at Echuca.
She transferred her apprenticeship to trainer Ken Keys at Cranbourne this year and went on to win another 28 races during her short riding career, the most recent at Sale in July.
RV Chief Executive, Giles Thompson, said in a statement: “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 as a result of a training accident this morning.
“Mikaela was a talented young rider who was pursuing a career in the sport she loved. She was a much loved and valuable member of the racing community and her sad passing is being felt by many within our industry today.”
“Today the racing industry is mourning the tragic loss of a vibrant, energetic and young spirit,” Thompson said.
“This is a very difficult day for racing and those within it, they will rally around each other and I thank those that are rallying around each other and looking after each other and those that have supported the family and the participants today.”
Victorian racing will resume at Caulfield and Warracknabeal tomorrow as a means to bring industry “participants” together.
Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) Chief Executive, Matt Hyland, said: “The VJA and our members are incredibly saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend Mikaela Claridge, and extend our condolences to her family and friends.
“We are all going to miss Mikaela’s bright smile and positive attitude. After injury initially stalled her apprenticeship, she had started to build a really promising riding career over the past 12 months working with horses which she loved.
“Our thoughts and prayers at this time are with Mikaela’s family, friends and fellow riders who we are supporting in association with Racing Victoria and the National Jockeys Trust.”
Cranbourne Turf Club (CTC) Chief Executive, Neil Bainbridge, said: “This was a tragic accident and one that has deeply saddened all at the Cranbourne Turf Club and our local racing community.
“WorkSafe have commenced an investigation into the incident and the Club will afford them every support in doing so.
“On behalf of the Club, I wish to extend our sincere condolences to Mikaela’s family and friends on her tragic passing. She was a popular member of the Cranbourne racing community and will be sadly missed.”
“If there is anything we can do to ensure such a tragedy doesn’t happen again we absolutely will, we have to, as best we can learn from this situation if there is anything to learn.”
Right call has been made calling today’s meeting off. Thoughts with friends and family on this terrible day â¤ï¸
— Nadia Horne â¤ï¸ðŸ›µðŸ¶ðŸŒ¹ (@NadiaHorne) August 30, 2019
The VJA will pay tribute to Claridge in some matter, as early as tomorrow, with the blessing of her family.
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Today’s race meeting at Pakenham has also been abandoned, following the tragedy.
The meeting was axed in the interests of participant welfare and out of respect for the rider and her family.
WorkSafe is expected to release a statement this morning.
Victoria Police is also on scene, inspecting stalls at the track.
Those needing confidential counselling are encouraged to contact STABLELINE on 1300 520 122.
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