Female jockey dies in accident just months after getting married

Just a few months before jockey Mikaela Claridge was killed in a tragic riding accident, she celebrated the “most magical day” of her life.

The jockey who died in a freak accident at a Victorian racetrack today had celebrated the “most magical day” of her life just a few months before.

Mikaela Claridge, 22, was riding her horse at early this morning at Cranbourne Racecourse, about 50 kilometres southeast of Melbourne.

During the ride her horse became spooked, causing the apprentice jockey to fall.

She was immediately attended to by the on-course paramedic but unfortunately was unable to be saved.

Ms Claridge’s death has sent shockwaves through her friends, family and the racing community.

Her tragic passing comes just a few months after one of the happiest days of her life.

Ms Claridge celebrated her wedding just a few months ago. Picture: Mikaela Claridge/Facebook

In April the young jockey’s loved ones gathered together to celebrate her and her husband’s wedding.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, Ms Claridge described it as the “most magical day imaginable”, praising her “dream husband” Jamie Ferguson.

“What a perfect and emotional couple of weeks,” Ms Claridge wrote.

“From the bottom of our hearts we would love to thank our beautiful family and friends who helped us celebrate our special day, especially those who travelled long distances to be there.

“Cheers to marrying my forever.”

What a perfect and emotional couple of weeks! And the most magical day imaginable to marry my dream husband Jamie...

Posted by Mikaela Claridge on Monday, 8 April 2019

The post was flooded with congratulations from friends and family.

“Congratulations to you both. I am so happy for you. Mik you are the most beautiful bride,” one person wrote.

“Such an amazing day for you both to share with family and friends that you will remember and cherish forever. Mik you were the most gorgeous bride and both you and Jamie are the most adorable couple inside and out. Wishing you both the very best of happiness forever,” another said.

As well has having just married the love of her life, Ms Claridge was also making great strides in her career.

She had recently returned to racing after a back injury forced her to put her dream on hold for a few years.

Ms Claridge was making strides in her racing career. Picture: Brendan McCarthy/Racing Photos via Getty Images

When she finally returned to the track in 2018 she made her debut by coming in second while riding a horse named King’s Hand.

Just a month later she celebrated her first win riding the same horse.

During her short riding career she went on to win another 28 races, with the most recent being at Sale on July 11.

Jockey Ben Allen, who met Ms Claridge when they both started a Racing Victoria apprenticeship in 2014, told the Herald Sun that she had just started “finding her rhythm” in the industry.

“She had only just started her career,” he said.

“She had moved to Cranbourne for more opportunities.”

Tributes have been flowing in for Ms Claridge. Picture: Brendan McCarthy/Racing Photos/AAP

Ms Claridge’s passion and talent was evident to everyone who knew her, with Racing Victoria’s Chief Executive, Giles Thompson, saying she would be missed.

“Mikaela was a talented young rider who was pursuing a career in the sport she loved,” Mr Giles said.

“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.”

This sentiment was echoed by Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) Chief Executive, Matt Hyland, who noted she had begun to build “a really promising career”.

“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 she loved,” he said.