Top Aussie jockey found dead Top Australian rider Stathi Katsidis, who had been engaged to ride Shoot Out in Saturday's Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, was found dead on Tuesday in Brisbane. Initial media reports revealed that Queensland Police have confirmed that Katsidis, 31, was found deceased in his home. The cause of death is unknown at this stage, but police indicated there appear to be no suspicious circumstances. Katsidis rode a winning treble at Eagle Farm last Saturday and had been intending to travel to Melbourne on Thursday in preparation to partner Shoot Out in this weekend's AUD 3million feature event. In his past, Katsidis had battled weight and drug problems. He served a nine-month ban after testing positive to ecstasy in 2008, but had been progressing successfully in his comeback to riding since his return. Toowoomba-born Katsidis hailed from one of Australia's most prominent sporting families, with his brother Michael being a world-rated professional boxer.
