Jockey Mikaela Claridge dies in fall at Victorian training centre

Onlookers expected recently married Mikaela Claridge to bounce to her feet after innocuous tumble.

Police and WorkSafe at the track today and, inset, Mikaela Claridge.

Life had provided Mikaela Claridge with several high points over the past 12 months.

The apprentice jockey had her first race ride last August and partnered her first winner at Echuca the following month.

The 22-year-old married the love of her life, Jamie Ferguson, in April and was starting a joyful new chapter together with their three huskies.

Yesterday morning, during a routine canter on the sand trail at the Cranbourne training complex, a seemingly innocuous tumble took her life.

Onlookers had expected her to bounce to her feet but when she didn’t, she was quickly attended to by the on-course paramedic.

She could not be revived.

22 year old Mikaela Claridge has been identified as the apprentice jockey killed in tragic circumstances in Cranbourne this morning. She fell off her horse during a trot/training exercise around 4.30am. @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/8KqH4ypSxK

— Lana Murphy (@LanaMurphy) August 30, 2019

The busy morning schedule had begun about 4am and Claridge was dislodged about 4.35am. Word of her death quickly circulated and trackwork ceased — the jockeys were too distressed at the loss of their colleague to continue.

Trainers and staff were shell-shocked upon learning of the popular young woman’s fate.

Training tracks were closed and WorkSafe officers and members of Victoria Police began gathering statements and evidence to report to the coroner.

Mikaela Claridge.

Racing scheduled for the afternoon at Pakenham was abandoned out of respect for Claridge’s family and in the interest of safety for members of the Victorian Jockeys Association.

VJA chief executive Matt Hyland spoke of the incredible sadness felt over the loss of their colleague and friend. He extended condolences on behalf of the membership to Claridge’s 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 she loved,” he said. “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.”

The sentiments were echoed by Giles Thompson, chief executive of Racing Victoria: “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.”

Authorities at Cranbourne racecourse today. Picture: Jason Edwards

After injury interrupted her ­career, Claridge returned to riding in 2018. She had transferred her ­indentures to trainer Ken Keys at Cranbourne and won another 28 races, most recently at Sale on July 11.

Jockey Ben Allen said he had become friends with Claridge when they had begun their ­apprenticeships in 2014, describing her as a “bubbly kind of girl”.

“Always smiling, never heard her spoke a bad word,” he told the Herald Sun.

“She was pretty quiet, kept to herself, was always happy.

“In apprentice school, she got along with everyone.”

WorkSafe is investigating the incident and Victoria Police will prepare a report for the coroner.