Racing community grieves for Montgomerie
On Friday the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Adam Giles presented the inaugural “Women in Racing” award – yesterday he sat with racing officials as they announced the death of Darwin jockey Simone Montgomerie.
In her acceptance speech five days ago, Women in NT Racing chairwoman Michelle Graham acknowledged the contribution of women to an industry that thrives in the Top End.
In Darwin there are more female than male jockeys, well above the 20-30 per cent rate in other states and territories.
Among them was Simone Montgomery, who had moved to Darwin in 2009 from Streaky Bay in South Australia.
In the Top End’s worst racing tragedy the 26-year-old mother of two was killed in a fall during race six in front of 21,000 spectators at the popular Darwin Cup meeting at Fannie Bay on Monday.
On the other side of the world riders at Carlisle in the UK made their tribute when all the jockeys wore black armbands and a minute’s silence was observed before racing.
The Carlisle meeting is a fixture limited to women jockeys,
“Our meeting is the only one in the world just for women jockeys and we felt we should remember Simone in this way.” John Baker, regional director of north west courses, told UK media.
Back in Darwin the Top End’s racing community, joined by thousands of visitors from interstate for their biggest meeting of the year, were in shock.
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The accident happened in the home straight during the final 200 metres of the Lightning Plate when Montgomerie’s mount Riahgrand appeared to move suddenly sideways and unseat the jockey.
“The horse just seemed to suddenly twist and throw the jockey,” one racegoer told InDaily.
“Paramedics attended her immediately and it became clear there was something seriously wrong.
“It looked like they were reviving her and there was an uneasy feeling around the crowd.”
It later emerged that Montgomerie was treated by two doctors and paramedics at the scene and was transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital.
When news came from Montgomerie’s family that she had died from trauma-related injuries shortly after arrival, officials had no hesitation in calling the meeting off.
“At this point, Darwin Turf Club and Thoroughbred racing NT stewards decided to abandon the meeting,” an emotional Turf Club chairman Brett Dixon said, flanked by Chief Minister Adam Giles and Chief Steward Lindsay Lane.
“As far as the Darwin Turf Club is concerned, she was our family, and we’re all devastated by this accident.”
Lane told reporters that safety was the number one priority and Simone’s fellow jockeys were at risk.
“The stewards are somewhat concerned given the close nature of the riding community here in Darwin about the effect that it may have on the other riders so we’ve spoken to the riders and some of them are quite concerned and quite upset so we’ve taken the view that the number one priority is safety and wellbeing of the riding group and we’ve elected to abandon the meeting.
“I’m sure that the riders can ride at their best but whether they can ride safely with the fall on their mind, the stewards aren’t totally convinced. The common sense thing to do is to call the meeting off.
“It’s unfortunate for the public that they won’t be able to see the running of the 2013 Darwin Cup today but safety going forward is our number one concern and hence we’ve taken the decision that we have.”
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Montgomerie’s loss is also being felt at Streaky Bay on South Australia’s West Coast.
She had been a childhood friend of international jockey Kerrin McEvoy at their local pony club.
McEvoy is devastated by the accident.
He tweeted: “I’m shattered by the news. We did pony club together. She was a beautiful girl. It’s just a tragedy.”
In Adelaide the SA Apprentice Academy expressed its condolences.
“Simone started here with us,” a shocked head of the SA Apprentice Academy Bill Forrestal told local media.
“To hear that this has happened to such a delightful young lady just makes me sad.
“Her father Peter is such a nice guy. You work so closely with these kids. Just not right.”
National Jockeys’ Association general manager Des O’Keeffe said the organisation would support the Montgomerie family.
“On behalf of the 850 riders in Australia our condolences go out to Simone’s family and we will provide as much support as we can to them.”.
On of Australia’s top jockeys Nash Rawiller has been in Darwin since last Wednesday and was riding at the meeting.
“I’ve never left a racecourse feeling so sad and numb! Great jockey and beautiful young lady. Thinking of her family and close friends,” Rawiller said on Twitter.
Late Tuesday the Darwin Turf Club announced that the $200,000 prize money from the abandoned Cup will be donated to Simone’s family.
Brett Dixon said the race had officially been abandoned and said the 2013 Cup would be a legacy to Montgomerie.
The Cup’s sponsors CUB and Lincoln Jenkins have also donated $50,000 to the fund which has been matched by the Northern Territory government.
“The Darwin Turf Club today established the Montgomerie Fund set up at arm’s length to the club at Westpac for the family of Simone and her five-year-old daughter,” Dixon said.
“In memory of Simone we’ve decided to abandon the 2013 Darwin Cup.”
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