Megan Taylor: Racing world in shock after apprentice jockey, 26, dies in tragic on-track fall
ASHBURTON, NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand's racing industry has been left in shock with the unfortunate death of an apprentice jockey, Megan Taylor. The 26-year-old reportedly died on Friday, December 15, while taking part in the $14,000 maiden race at Ashburton.
She was riding a horse named Red Orchid “when her mount appeared to be caught between two other horses and crashed to the track just after 1 pm local time,” the Daily Mail reported. She was also struck by one of the three other horses involved in the fatal accident after she fell. She was declared dead soon after the accident while three other participants, Diego Montes de Oca, Samantha Wynne, and Tin Comignahgi, sustained non-severe wounds.
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Following the tragedy, Racing Minister Kieran McAnulty tweeted, “I’m incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of jockey Megan Taylor during a race this afternoon. I want to pass on my deepest sympathies to Megan’s family and friends, and to all of those in the industry who worked alongside her and knew her.”
I’m incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of jockey Megan Taylor during a race this afternoon. I want to pass on my deepest sympathies to Megan’s family and friends, and to all of those in the industry who worked alongside her and knew her.
— Kieran McAnulty MP (@Kieran_McAnulty) December 15, 2022
Taylor was called “a beautiful soul” by one of her pals, Alex Coleman, who told the New Zealand Herald, “I’m not sure anyone is going to be able to find the words to describe how tragic the loss of Megan is. She was such a beautiful soul that was loved by so many and the shock of her being taken so tragically and so young is completely numbing.”
Coleman also shared on Facebook, “From riding at Belfast pony club to talking each other through moving across the world. You were a special one Megan, you were so good at bringing an energy to whatever room you walked into and your fun loving spirit will be sorely missed. Fly high blondie 🕊❤️ — with Megan Taylor.”
The Australian Jockeys’ Association also issued a statement saying, “Sending our deepest condolences to family and friends of Megan Taylor who sadly passed after a race fall in NZ, also sending our best to the two other fallen riders. A sad day in racing.”
Sending our deepest condolences to family and friends of Megan Taylor who sadly passed after a race fall in NZ, also sending our best to the two other fallen riders. A sad day in racing.
— Aust. Jockeys Assoc. (@JockeysAssoc) December 15, 2022
Taylor’s last social media post was about her love for horses. The September 15 Instagram share was a series of several pictures of her with a caption that said, “'Do what you love, love what you do.' Getting paid to cuddle animals daily.. I can’t complain! 😍💰🤷🏼♀️ . #livingthedream #loveanimals #animalovers #happyplace #twohearts #thoroughbredsofinstagram #cataddict #dreamjob #apprenticejockey.” Before she started racing in 2019, Taylor was in Europe serving New Zealand's Olympic equestrian pair – Tim and Jonelle Price.
In 2021, Taylor reportedly shared, “I had spent the last couple of years working for Tim and Jonelle Price, but when my visa expired, I came home to New Zealand. I started looking for a trackwork rider position and luckily there was one available with John. I’ve always loved working with animals, as along with my work as a groom, I also did three years in a shearing shed after I left school. People told me I had the build to be a jockey, so I guess that is how it has turned out and thankfully riding has come pretty naturally to me.”