Much loved Aussie jockey Julie Murphy dies after a freak encounter with an insect in her own home
A retired jockey who spent 20 years riding thoroughbreds has died after she was stung by a wasp in her backyard.
Julie Murphy, 56, from Ipswich in Queensland’s south-east, was stung last week and died from complications several days later.
While deaths from wasp stings are extremely rare, tragedy can strike if the victim is allergic to the insect’s venom.
It can trigger an anaphylactic shock which causes difficulty breathing, swelling in the throat, and a drop in blood pressure.
It remains unclear whether Murphy was allergic.
Her death has rocked the racing industry.
She racked up 69 wins in races across Queensland stretching between the Gold Coast and right up to Cairns in the far north during her career.
Murphy also rode in NSW and country Victoria.
Former Queensland jockey Julie Murphy died after a wasp stung her in her backyard last week
Murphy’s best season was in 2009-10, when she racked up 10 winners.
Her last race ride was at Beaudesert in 2013.
She worked most closely with trainer and long-time friend Peter Moncrieff, who led the outpouring of tributes.
‘She was a very good trackwork rider and just helpful as a person,’ he told 7news.com.au.
‘I always found her good to get along with, that is for sure. She was a good friend of my partner Pam.
‘She still rode for us when we left Ipswich and went to our farm as she was living in town after that.
‘She was a good kid, there is no doubt about it.’
The 56-year-old was a celebrated jockey who had racked up 69 wins in her two-decade long career
Trainer Tina Cotsiopoulos added: ‘When she was at Doomben, she rode a lot for me and rode a winner and a number of placegetters.
“I just remember her being a really hard worker and such a nice person. She was very genuine as a person. I found her to be really genuine person.”
Others hailed her as a hard worker with a kind personality.
‘She was passionate and dedicated to the sport,’ one friend wrote.
The Queensland Racing Industry Support Program has rallied behind Murphy’s grieving family.
