Written by Bren O'Brien
The Australian thoroughbred community has paid tribute to jockey Chris Caserta, who is missing, feared drowned, in a tragic accident at Surfers Paradise in southern Queensland.
An extensive air and sea search is underway for the 26-year-old, who got into trouble with a companion when going for a swim late on Wednesday evening. His companion, believed to be a track rider, was rescued and taken to the Gold Coast Hospital.
The search continued throughout Thursday with Queensland Police confirming in the afternoon that it was highly unlikely that Caserta had survived.
Chris Caserta
The Gold Coast Turf Club confirmed it had been working with Racing Queensland to implement welfare support mechanisms for Caserta's family as well as friends and other industry participants.
"Our heart goes out to Chris' family and the entire racing community as the search continues," GCTC CEO Steve Lines said.
"Chris has been riding trackwork at the Gold Coast Turf Club six days a week and so he is an important part of our racing community.
"Welfare provider Benestar will be in attendance at the Club to offer support for jockeys and industry participants."
Steve Lines
Industry participants can access mental health support on a 24/7 basis on 1300 360 364.
Caserta was well-travelled in his riding career, which began under the guidance of Brett Cavanough at Albury in 2014 and included 154 winners. He had been a national taekwondo champion before embarking on a career in the saddle.
After riding for Cavanough, he joined the stables of Russell Cameron and then Jason Petch, but suffered a badly broken leg in a horrific fall in October 2014, which kept him out of the saddle for nearly 18 months.
Speaking to RSN, Petch described Caserta as having an infectious personality.
"It’s a tough day for a lot of people, he was a very popular kid," he said.
"Chris had amazing talent on a horse. He had the talent and he had the tools and all he had to acquire was the racebrain and everything was coming together for him.
"It’s pretty awful talking about him in the past tense."
Chris Caserta aboard Jedastar in 2019 ahead of the G1 Black Caviar Lightning S.
Caserta would also ride under the guidance of John Sadler, while he also spent time riding for Gai Waterhouse, as well as Tony McEvoy and Lindsey Smith across an apprenticeship period which was extended due to a series of injuries and suspensions.
In 2019, he took the ride aboard 2-year-old Jedastar (I Am Invincible) in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning S., where he wasted to get down to 44kg.
Caserta relocated to Queensland to ride at the Gold Coast earlier this year and had ridden 17 winners in the state since, with his most recent victory coming at the Gold Coast on November 13.
