Australian Jockey Izzy Neale, 22, Dies After Fall at Warren Racecourse

Australian apprentice jockey Izzy Neale has died at the age of 22 after a fall during a race meeting at Warren Racecourse in New South Wales on Sunday. Reuters reported that Neale was thrown from her horse, Marnoo, in the Warren Shire Cotton Cup and was airlifted to Dubbo Hospital, where she died on Tuesday.

Her family announced the death in a statement issued jointly with Racing NSW on Tuesday evening Australia time. "It is with deep sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Izzy, surrounded by her closest family and friends," the family said, in words carried by Reuters.

The fall at Warren

AAP reported that Neale suffered severe injuries when her mount Marnoo fell entering the home straight in the Warren Shire Cotton Cup. Fox Sports Australia reported that she lost consciousness after she was dislodged from Marnoo at around the 400 metre mark of the 1600 metre race. She fell heavily, was unconscious when she was airlifted to Dubbo Hospital on Sunday, and was placed on life support.

On Tuesday night her family released a statement saying she had not recovered, AAP reported. The Times reported that she passed away with her family by her side on Tuesday evening. In their statement, carried by AAP, the family said: "We would like to thank Racing NSW and the NSW Jockeys Association for their care, compassion and support during this incredibly difficult time."

Fox Sports Australia reported that senior rider Diego Montes de Oca was also dislodged, from his horse Shadow Dane, and that the Racing NSW integrity team said he had suffered a suspected broken foot.

Marnoo was euthanised after suffering a near foreleg injury, Fox Sports Australia reported. The final race of the Warren program was abandoned. AAP reported that Monday's meeting at Scone in the Hunter Valley was postponed after consultation between officials, jockeys and trainers.

A rising rider in New South Wales

Neale won 88 races from 699 career starts, Fox Sports Australia reported. The Times reported that she had her first success in February 2024, had ridden 88 winners, and was considered a rising star in New South Wales. She had four rides in earlier races on Sunday, including a fourth place finish in Race 1 riding Tampa Bay, Fox Sports Australia reported.

The Paulick Report wrote that Neale fell after Marnoo suffered a catastrophic foreleg injury at Warren Racecourse, about 300 miles northwest of Sydney, and that she was airlifted to Dubbo Hospital, about 65 miles away. The Times reported that her death is the first at a meet in the region since Darren Jones was killed at Warialda in 2017.