THE tragic death of Mount Isa-based jockey Corey Gilby resonated across the Australian racing industry, but particularly in the North West where the 25-year-old rider produced many memorable moments in a short, promising career.
Gilby lost his fight for survival after suffering a bad fall during a trial gallop at Julia Creek, on November 12.
In a small and close community, the loss of a fellow competitor and friend shook those who knew Gilby and reminded everyone about the perils of his chosen profession.
Veteran North West jockey Keith Ballard said it would take a long time for he and other riders who knew Gilby to come to terms with the events of that fateful day in Julia Creek.
In a career that saw Gilby work with several respected trainers, the talented jockey rode winners across the country including his memorable debut in the North West.
Sponsored to ride in Cloncurry in 2003 after only four race rides, the young Gilby made an impression on trainer Jim Swift.
Swift said Gilby arrived in Cloncurry wearing a black suit with a purple shirt and tie and stepped out of the plane into an outside temperature of 44 degrees.
When Swift asked the young jockey how many winners he'd had he replied "none yet".
Gilby came out and rode three winners and two place getters for his five rides that day against the hardened bush boys of the time.
Emotional, dedicated, with a natural affinity with horses and a kind-hearted individual who was competitive until the end - That's the way most will remember Gilby.
Email a friend