THE death of popular jockey Chris Caserta cast a pall over Friday’s race meeting with grieving jockeys wearing black armbands.

Caserta’s body was recovered in waters off a Gold Coast beach about 8.30am Friday.

He had been swimming at Surfers Paradise beach about 10pm on Wednesday when he became caught in a rip.

Caserta moved from Victoria at the start of last December, hoping a new base would provide a launching pad to revitalise his career.

He told the Tribune in April he was keen to succeed with a long-term view of going where the rides are and maximising every opportunity.