Diva Dead

The queen of Australian racing, Makybe Diva and owner Tony Santic were killed yesterday in a one-vehicle crash on the Princess Highway, south of Berry.

At about 6am on Friday, Mr Santic’s maroon Holden commodore and horse float swerved off the wet curbed road. The owner and horse died instantly after smashing through barricades and rolling into a large ditch.

Police are still investigating the cause of the crash.

“The crash may be connected to the heavy rainfall the previous night, however at this stage we are not ruling anything out,” Senior Constable Shawn Burns said.

The crash happened on a notorious stretch of road along the Princess Highway which has been the site of several accidents. The previous crash only two weeks ago, involving a man who was seriously injured. This case is also still under investigation.

Senior Constable Burns noted the ‘slippery when wet’ sign for drivers along the highway was marked but broken.

 Makybe Diva galloped into the racing record books after winning her third Melbourne Cup in as many years. This took the Diva’s winnings to more than $14.5 million, an Australasian record. However, it is the place in Australian’s hearts for which she will be remembered, being described by jockey Glenn Boss as “a Phar-Lap the second”. Owner Tony Santic, the celebrated tuna baron from Port Lincoln in South Australia, was 56.

Mr Santic and Makybe Diva were travelling to Canberra to headline the Black Opal meet tomorrow. 

Investigations are continuing into the crash, with a Coroner’s investigation underway.

A spokesperson from Makybe Diva’s stable will speak today.