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.

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.

‘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.”

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.”

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.”