The Victorian Jockeys’ Association (VJA) has this morning confirmed that the body of missing jockey Chris Caserta has been found, bringing an end to a 36-hour search.
“It is with great sadness the VJA can confirm the family have advised that police have found the body of Chris Caserta,” the statement read.
The Gold Coast-based rider went missing on Wednesday at Surfers Paradise Beach during a late-night swim with a friend who was rescued by bystanders.
Queensland Police announced on Thursday afternoon that the timeframe for survival had expired and that it was now a search mission rather than a search and rescue.
The fifth race at Ipswich on Friday afternoon will be made even more memorable for connections if Gem Of The Lochs can land her third-straight win.
Caserta rode the grey mare to her past two wins, while his partner, Brittany Wise, is in the ownership group and her father, Steven, is the trainer.
There would not be a more special win all weekend then if Gem Of The Lochs was able to salute in the fifth race at Ipswich tomorrow. The Wise family played a special part in Chris Caserta’s life and it was fitting that Lochs was the young hoops last ever winner.
— William Wallace (@WWallace2001) December 2, 2021
Tributes have come flowing in from friends of the 26-year-old jockey and other members of the racing community, with a number of people describing him as loving, hard-working and enthusiastic towards life.
We are truly devastated to hear the news of the sudden passing of jockey Chris Caserta. Our thoughts are with Chris’s family, friends, and work colleagues. Heaven gained another angel, and one more star will rise in the sky tonight
pic.twitter.com/qAZQzYOhMV
— NationalJockeysTrust (@JockeysTrust) December 2, 2021
My heartfelt condolences go out to Chris Caserta’s family, Chris was loved and embraced by everyone in the racing community, one thing always noted with Chris was his positive feedback to all the young apprentices in the room, but also all the positives in life. RIP my friend
— Micheal Hellyer (@Hellyer7) December 2, 2021
My heartfelt condolences go out to Chris Caserta’s family, Chris was loved and embraced by everyone in the racing community, one thing always noted with Chris was his positive feedback to all the young apprentices in the room, but also all the positives in life. RIP my friend
— Micheal Hellyer (@Hellyer7) December 2, 2021