22-Year-Old Australian Jockey Neale Dies After Fall

Australian jockey Izzy Neale has died at age 22 following a race fall Nov. 8 at Warren Racecouse. The apprentice rider had been in a critical condition at Dubbo Hospital, New South Wales, after suffering a fall aboard Marnoo in the Warren Shire Cotton Cup. She and fellow jockey Diego Montes de Oca, riding Shadow Dane, were unseated around the 400-meter (about 2-furlong) mark. The stewards subsequently abandoned the final race on the card. Neale was airlifted to the hospital, while Montes de Oca was taken by ambulance following the incident. Racing New South Wales also decided to postpone the meeting Nov. 9 at Scone following the fall. Neale's death is the first racing fatality in New South Wales since 2017, when Tamworth jockey Darren Jones died following a three-horse fall at Warialda Racecourse. "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 a statement. "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. "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." The claiming apprentice was considered a rising star and rode her first winner aboard Scruff's Magic in February 2024 at the Condobolin picnic races. She had since ridden 88 winners across New South Wales and was employed by trainer Brett Robb. Neale was born and raised in the rural town of Merriwa in the Upper Hunter region and also worked for trainers Pat Farrell at Muswellbrook and Rod Northam at Scone. Her passion for horses and strong work ethic also took her to Sydney, where she spent a year working for Randwick trainer John Thompson. More recently, Neale had been working for leading Scone trainer Scott Singleton. The Australian Trainers' Association released a statement, saying in part: "There is a place for words in racing. Today, finding them is terribly hard. "Across the Australian Trainers' Association, we are grieving the loss of Izzy Neale. Some of us knew her. Others never had that privilege. But her family's words about a girl who rode before she could walk will feel deeply familiar in stables across this country. That love of horses is how so many of our own stories began. It hurts beyond words that Izzy will not have the years ahead to keep living hers."