Heartbroken partner of fallen jockey remembers how beautiful horsewoman ‘died doing what she wanted to do’

by Admin
October 17, 2024

The memory of cradling his life partner on the racetrack moments after she plunged to her death will be forever etched in Tim Cook’s mind.

It has been 10 years this week since the tragic passing of gifted and beloved Queensland jockey Carly-Mae Pye.

Her fatal fall sent the Australian horse racing industry into mourning and tributes flowed in from all over the world.

“She died doing what she wanted to do,” Carly-Mae’s heartbroken partner Cook said.

Horse trainer Tim Cook on the turf where his partner Carly-Mae Pye tragically lost her life. (ABC Capricornia: Aaron Kelly)

The 26-year-old died after she fell from her horse in a jump out at Rockhampton in central Queensland in 2014.

The horse trainer was just metres away watching on when the horse ridden by Carly-Mae broke both its front legs during a jump-out, throwing the love of his life head-first into the track.

Cook said in the blink of an eye his world and the couple’s future changed.

“I can remember leading Carly-Mae onto the track that morning and I can remember her falling right in front of us,” Cook said.

“The minute we first saw her, which was about 15-20 seconds after she fell, I knew in that instant that life had changed … I will never forget that.”

A montage of two photos of a jockey. — Carly-Mae Pye was an incredibly talented rider and horsewoman. (Supplied: Tim Cook)

‘Carly-Mae will always be with us’

The pain is visible on the broken-hearted Cook’s face every day.

He said the pair had discussed getting married just days before the incident that rocked the racing world.

“She said ‘we won’t get an engagement ring until the Boxing Day sales’,” Cook said as he wiped away tears.

“Carly-Mae was a bit of a bargain hunter but that’s what she wanted.”

A man wearing a purple shirt looks at a tribute wall of a female jockey. — Tim Cook visits the memorial of his partner at the Rockhampton racecourse every day. (ABC Capricornia: Aaron Kelly)

Life will never be the same, but Carly-Mae’s spirit lives on in his purple and pink star race silks.

“For my training career I’ll continue to race my horses in the purple colours, and they’ll always wear the browband with Carly-Mae’s initials on it,” Cook said.

“She was a great human being … her smile, her attitude and her presence just made everyone’s life a lot easier going forward.”

A jockey wearing purple and pink silks brings a horse back to the winners' stalls. — Carly-Mae Pye rode almost 200 winners across Queensland, many of them in the purple and pink star colours. (Supplied: Tim Cook)

Each year on Caulfield Cup Day, a race is held in her honour at the very same racecourse where she lost her life.

Cook said when his runners go around this weekend in Carly-Mae’s honour, his life partner on the racetrack would be riding with them.

“It’s been 10 years but Carly-Mae will always be with us,” he said.

A man and woman at a dinner party. — The couple was a winning combination on and off the racetrack. (Supplied: Tim Cook)

A role model for young riders

Carly-Mae was a champion equestrian rider after coming through the pony club ranks before she turned her hand to horse racing.

Simon Irwin was president of Pony Club Queensland at the time.

The now Beef Australia chief executive said Carly-Mae was a beautiful soul and horsewoman.

A pony club rider and horse leap over a jump. — A role model for young riders, Carly-Mae Pye climbed the ranks to become a state champion equestrian rider. (Supplied: Tim Cook)

“Carly-Mae was just one of those people that were absolutely full of life and it took us all a long time to get our heads around what had happened,” he said.

“She was a horsewoman. She just got it. She was at one with the animals. She was terribly, terribly talented in her riding.

“She was a role model for many of the young riders and she was certainly the real deal.”

A horse rider sitting on a horse in a paddock. — Carly-Mae Pye was at one with her horses on her property. (Supplied: Tim Cook)

Tributes flow on anniversary

On the 10th anniversary of Carly-Mae’s passing, racing officials from around the country have paid tribute to the talented horsewoman.

“Carly-Mae Pye was an incredibly talented rider and horsewoman, having excelled in the equestrian field and as a jockey with almost 200 winners to her name,” Racing Queensland chief executive Jason Scott said.

“Ten years on, her sad passing is a timely reminder of the risks our jockeys face daily.”

A montage of two photos of a female jockey. — Carly-Mae Pye’s memory remains alive with a yearly trophy race run in her honour. (Supplied: Racing Queensland)

Australian Jockeys’ Association chairman Craig Staples said all riders deserved to return home to their loved ones every day.

“It’s a tragedy that we lose riders lives … it’s such a dangerous game and our hearts go out to them and their families,” he said.

“This game is one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet and until we can make it safer, our job at the Australian Jockeys’ Association will never end.”