Tributes paid after police find body of missing jockey Chris Caserta
The body of jockey Chris Caserta was retrieved from the Gold Coast surf early yesterday, about 36 hours after the former Victorian rider was caught in a Surfers Paradise rip and tragically drowned.
Fellow rider Amy Graham, 25, who was with Caserta at the time of the incident which occurred soon after 10pm on Wednesday, was able to get to shore and was released from hospital early on Thursday morning.
Police had launched a frantic search and rescue mission trying to find Caserta on Wednesday night but on Thursday afternoon Senior Sergeant Jay Notaro, of Gold Coast water police, said the operation was deemed to be a retrieval mission as there was no prospect of the jockey being found alive.
The news led to an outpouring of public tributes to Caserta from his racing industry colleagues which continued yesterday following confirmation his body had been retrieved.
Caserta’s last winner was Gem Of The Lochs (Bradbury’s Luck) at the Gold Coast on November 13. The seven-year-old mare is trained at Murwillumbah in northern NSW by Steven Wise whose daughter Britt was dating the 26-year-old jockey.
Gem Of The Lochs ran fourth at Ipswich yesterday with apprentice Jasmine Cornish in the saddle.
“Today will be our saddest ever day at the races, but we hope it will also be our proudest if Gem Of The Lochs can win in Chris’s honour!!” Wise wrote on Facebook.
“Britt, Hann & myself want to thank everyone for all your support at this time and we appreciate each and every one.
“Chris was more than a great jockey to our stable as I was proud to call him my son in-law & an all round great guy and partner to my amazing strong daughter Britt. Gem was his favourite and even though he only rode her 4 times (and) he won 3.”
Wise revealed Caserta had provided written riding instructions to Cornish for yesterday’s race and the plan was for him to be back on board when she raced at metropolitan level in Brisbane next start.
“That sums him up as he was selfless and even though he wanted to be the best & win he was prepared to sit on the sidelines to let his family & his favourite horse prosper,” Wise continued.
“Mate, we love you and we will honour your memory for ever and a day! I know you will be on Gem today mate, so go you good thing.”
Victorian Jockeys’ Association chief executive Matthew Hyland, speaking on behalf of Caserta’s family, father Robert, mother Lucia and siblings Matthew, Amanda and Thomas, said: “Over the past 48 hours, I have been in constant contact with Chris’ father Robert, who is extremely appreciative of all the support of Racing Victoria, the Victorian Jockeys’ Association and right throughout, but he said the family was naturally devastated over their loss.
“In some ways now, hopefully, they can have some sort of closure. What a 48 hours it’s been for them? Unimaginable.”
The Queensland Jockeys’ Association has arranged for black armbands to be worn in honour of Caserta in selected races across the state this weekend.
“First and foremost, our sincerest condolences are extended to the Caserta family and our thoughts are with them at this tragic time,” Racing Queensland chief executive 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.”
The Australian Jockeys Association offered its sincere condolences to Caserta’s mother Lucia and father Robert and his wider family yesterday.
“It is absolutely tragic what has happened to Chris,” AJA chair Craig Staples said.
“Chris displayed his talent in South Australia, Victoria, NSW, the Northern Territory and Queensland and was hugely popular amongst his colleagues wherever he went and rode. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris’ family at this truly difficult time.”
Victorian Jockeys Association chief executive Matt Hyland said: “Victoria’s jockeys are devastated to learn of Chris’s tragic passing. To lose such a gifted person and talented jockey in such sad circumstances at just 26 years old is extremely difficult to accept.
“On behalf of the entire Victorian jockey group, we extend our deepest sympathies to Chris’s family and friends.”
Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson said: “On behalf of the Victorian racing industry, I would like to extend our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Chris’s family and friends on the tragic news of his passing.
“Chris was a very popular member of the jockey cohort and a talented young rider who was always seen with a smile on his face. His passing is being felt by many within our industry.”