Horse racing world in mourning after champion Group 1-winning jockey Peter Mertens dies aged 58

The racing world is in mourning after popular Group 1-winning jockey Peter Mertens died aged just 58 after a long battle with cancer.

Mertens, who rode more than 2100 winners, including seven Group 1 races, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2020, but bravely continued to defy the odds given by doctors before finally and tragically succumbing to the disease. 

The man dubbed ‘The King of Gippsland’ is survived by wife Gulcin, six children – including son Beau, also a top-flight jockey – and three stepchildren. 

Primarily racing in Victoria and South Australia, Mertens won his first Group 1 in 1999 aboard Rustic Dream in the Futurity Stakes, while he also enjoyed great success riding for legendary trainer Bart Cummings – winning the 2007 Mackinnon Stakes and 2008 Australian Cup. 

The affable hoop was forced into retirement in 2014 after a horror fall that left him with a broken collarbone, fractured ankle, collapsed lung and several broken weeks. 

Peter Mertens (right), pictured winning the G1 Australian Cup with legendary trainer Bart Cummings in 2008, has died aged just 58

Friends paid tribute to the popular hoop, labelling him ‘one of the greatest on and off the track’

Mertens had more than 2100 winners – including seven Group 1s – during a sterling career before he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer

He said of that sickening accident last year that ‘worse things can happen in life’ – but unfortunately they did, as he was forced to ensure intense chemotherapy and daily injections after only originally being given six months to live by doctors.

The determination that stood him in such good stead on the track enabled him to fight what he was told was ‘the worst possible cancer you can get’.

He did so with humour too, saying in November last year that he kept telling his family he was ‘too mean to die’ as he spoke of son Beau’s promising career in the saddle as a huge form of motivation.

‘I’ve never done things in halves … ‘You’ve got to remain positive and take whatever you can,’ he told Racing.com last year.

‘There’s a lady who has a similar cancer in a similar spot to mine from America who has lived for 20 years. If she can do it, why can’t I?’

‘Plus, I want to be around for a bit longer to keep reminding Beau that I’m still the King of the Country Cups.’

‘My friends, Family and in particular Beau are my inspiration. That’s what drives me ‘He still has a lot to go, but geez he makes me proud.’

The popular hoop had huge success (such as the G1 Mackinnon Stakes in 2007, pictured) with the Bart Cummings-trained Sirmione

Sealed with a kiss! Mertens celebrates a Group 1 win in 2008 at Flemington

As the racing community continues to reel after the tragic loss of Dean Holland after a race fall in March, Victorian Jockeys’ Association chief Matt Hyland led the tributes to the popular Mertens. 

‘We are incredibly sorry to hear of Peter’s passing and extend our condolences to his family – in particular his son Beau. We are thinking of them all at this particularly sad time,’ he said.

‘Peter was as gallant in fighting his illness as he was on the racecourse, and he will be sorely missed by many people in Victorian racing and beyond.’

The racing community also paid tribute to a man one labelled ‘one of the greatest on and off the track’. 

Group 1-winning jockey and popular TV presenter Simon Marshall wrote of his grief for his close friend.

‘It hits hard for the passing of Peter Mertens. I was blessed to be part of Pete’s life as a close mate! Godfather to his son Zac and willing close friend to all of his extended family … he lived a great life,’ he wrote on Twitter.

Trainer Mick Price, who trained Mertens’ first Group 1 winner, said he saw a lot of the talented jockey in son Beau, who has ridden 563 winners at the age of just 25. 

‘I have very fond memories of him personally and professionally. He was a lovely man. I spent a lot of time with Peter in the early days. We found our first Group 1 winner together,’ he told Racing.com.

‘I look at Beau a lot and Peter comes to mind more and more. I have a great association with Beau. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’ 

‘One of the greatest on and off the track…lived life to the fullest. Sending lots of love to all his family and friends. RIP Peter Mertens,’ commented racing personality Matty Stewart on social media.

Mertens, pictured after winning the Group 1 Australian Cup in 2008, also had a huge amount of success on country tracks

After a long career that included dominance across country tracks as well as city course, trainer Peter Gelagotis paid tribute to a rider who linked with the stable often.

We are saddened to hear the passing of Peter Mertens, the King of Gippsland. Rode plenty of winners for our stable and was a very popular jockey. Condolences to Beau and his family & many friends through our industry. RIP,’ said the Victorian trainer.

Ex-jockey Samuel Hyland also noted the way he was able to have so much success in the city, and the bush.

‘Such sad news to hear that Peter Mertens has passed away, tough competitor to ride against and was the King of the Gippsland when I started. He went on to succeed on the big stage, great fella and so glad I got to have a beer with him at The Emerald recently,’ Hyland wrote on Twitter. 

Vale, Peter Mertens.