A coroner’s report has disclosed that champion jockey Stathi Katsidis had a mixture of drugs and alcohol in his system at the time of his death in October of last year.
Coroner John Lock determined that Katsidis had nine times the lethal dose of the designer drug fantasy in his bloodstream. Additionally, his blood-alcohol concentration was recorded at 0.146 percent.
The premiership-winning jockey was found to have ingested a dangerous combination of fantasy, ecstasy, cocaine, methylamphetamines, and alcohol during a 15-hour binge prior to his passing.
He commenced drinking at a hotel starting at 1 PM on October 18 of the previous year.
Alongside his fiancée, Melissa Jackson, and two friends, Katsidis continued to celebrate at home while consuming more alcohol and drugs.
At approximately 2 AM the following morning (AEST), Jackson discovered the jockey asleep on the couch and went back to bed.
Katsidis was later found by Jackson lying face down on the floor around 7:45 AM on October 19.
Despite the ambulance being summoned, the 31-year-old was unable to be revived.
A pathologist concluded that Katsidis’ death was a result of “mixed drug and alcohol toxicity”.
With a prior history of drug-related issues, Katsidis had tested positive for ecstasy back in 2008, which led to a nine-month disqualification.
In February 2008, he had a blood alcohol level exceeding three times the legal limit when stopped by police in Toowoomba, resulting in a six-month driving disqualification and a $1000 fine.
Katsidis also struggled with weight management. At the time of his passing, he was scheduled to ride his regular mount, Shoot Out, in the upcoming Cox Plate later that week, having previously led Shoot Out to victories in the Randwick Guineas, AJC Derby, Bletchingly Stakes, and Liston Stakes.
The son of Greek immigrants, Katsidis began his journey by cleaning stables in Toowoomba at age 13. By age 15, he achieved his first race victory during his debut ride at a bush meeting on the Darling Downs, and in June 2000, he rode Show a Heart in the TJ Smith at Eagle Farm, marking his first Group I win.
Katsidis is survived by his parents, brother Michael, a former lightweight world champion boxer, fiancée Jackson, and his “best mate,” son Brooklyn.
by Buford Balony