Apprentice jockey Izzy Neale has died in hospital days after she suffered a fall during a weekend race.
Neale, 22, was on board Marnoo when she and another rider fell 400m from the finish line during race six at Warren Racecourse on Sunday.
Racing NSW said she was knocked unconscious and airlifted to Dubbo Hospital, where her family rushed to her bedside.
The sporting authority shared another joint-statement on Tuesday with Ms Neale’s family to confirm she had died.
‘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.
‘Izzy rode horses before she could walk. Her love of horses was a lifelong passion that, more recently, had grown into a love of racing.
Apprentice jockey Izzy Neale (pictured) has sadly died after suffering a fall during a race
Izzy Neale won her first metropolitan race in July on It’s A Tata (both pictured)
‘Through organ donation, Izzy will give others the chance of life, bringing some comfort to our family amid this devastating loss.
‘We are deeply grateful for the love, kindness and support shown to Izzy and our family by her friends, the racing community and everyone who has been by our side during this heartbreaking time.’
‘We would like to thank Racing NSW and the NSW Jockeys Association for their care, compassion and support during this incredibly difficult time.
‘We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the medical staff who cared for Izzy with such compassion.
‘As we come to terms with our loss, we ask that our family’s privacy be respected. Izzy was dearly loved and will forever be in our hearts.’
The Kieran Hazelton-trained Marnoo suffered a near foreleg injury and was later euthanised.
A race meet set to be held at Scone on Monday was postponed following consultation with jockeys and trainers.
Scone is Neale’s home track in the NSW Hunter Valley, where she grew up.
The 22-year-old was a promising apprentice jockey having won 88 races
A day before the fall in central-west NSW, Neale was riding at Rosehill’s Five Diamonds Day
‘The thoughts and heartfelt support of Racing NSW and the entire community are with Izzy, her family, friends and colleagues during this extremely difficult time,’ a previous Racing NSW statement read.
The other jockey involved, Diego Montes de Oca, was also taken to Dubbo Hospital with a suspected broken foot.
The incident has rocked the racing world.
‘Tough day to be a jockey when things like this happen,’ Melbourne Cup winner Robbie Dolan wrote after the accident.
Former jockey Melinda Turner added: ‘Praying for a miracle. A terrible day for our industry.’
Just a day earlier, Neale was racing in Sydney at Rosehill’s Five Diamonds Day, where she told Sky Racing that she was due to settle on the purchase of her first home this week.
She won 88 races from 699 starts.
Neale recorded her first metropolitan win in July on It’s A Tata in the Highway Handicap at Rosehill.
