Apprentice jockey Izzy Neale dies after fall at Warren races
The 22-year-old suffered severe injuries when her mount Marnoo fell during the Warren Shire Cotton Cup in NSW, prompting tributes from across Australian racing.
Apprentice jockey Izzy Neale has died, two days after a fall from her mount Marnoo during the Warren Shire Cotton Cup at a regional NSW racecourse.
The 22-year-old was riding Marnoo when the horse went down entering the home straight on Sunday, according to Guardian Horse Racing. She fell heavily, lost consciousness and was airlifted to Dubbo Hospital.
Her family confirmed on Tuesday night that she had not recovered, saying in a statement that they were announcing her passing with deep sadness and broken hearts, surrounded by her closest family and friends.
The statement, posted on the official Racing NSW account and reported by Yahoo Sports, recalled that Neale had been riding horses before she could walk, a lifelong passion that had more recently developed into a love of racing.
The family said Neale's organs would be donated, noting that this would give others a chance at life and bring some comfort amid their devastating loss. They thanked everyone who had supported them through the ordeal.
They expressed gratitude for the love and kindness shown by friends and the wider racing community, and singled out Racing NSW and the NSW Jockeys Association for the care and compassion shown during what they described as an incredibly difficult time.
Tributes followed from across the industry. Sydney trainer Richard Freedman wrote on social media: "Words are not enough. Love and support to her family."
Fellow Sydney trainer John Thompson added: "The world is poorer for the loss of a beautiful young lady. Heartbreaking."
Marnoo, a six-year-old gelding, sustained a foreleg injury in the fall and was euthanased. The incident happened during the sixth race on Sunday's card, and the seventh and final race was subsequently abandoned.
Jockey Diego Montes de Oca, riding Shadow Dane, came off his horse moments later. An ambulance took him to hospital, where he was treated for injury to the soft tissue of his left foot before being released.
Officials called off Monday's planned fixture at Scone in the Hunter Valley once they had spoken with jockeys and trainers in the wake of the incident.
Citing Thoroughbred Daily News, Yahoo Sports reported that Neale's death is the first fatality at a New South Wales race meeting since jockey Darren Jones was killed back in April 2017.
Neale's brother, Tommy, paid tribute on Facebook, writing that he could not believe what had happened and describing her as his best friend, adding that they had always been close and that he did not know how he would cope.
He also wrote that he was sorry he had spent years in jail and missed time with her before the accident, saying he could not comprehend how he felt and that he would miss her enormously until they met again.
The family has asked that their privacy be respected as they come to terms with the loss.