Dearly loved' jockey dies after fall at regional track

'Dearly loved' jockey dies after fall at regional track

Australian apprentice jockey Izzy Neale has died at age 22 following a race fall on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Warren Racecourse in New South Wales. Neale suffered severe injuries when her mount, a six-year-old gelding named Marnoo, fell entering the home straight during the Warren Shire Cotton Cup. According to Racing NSW stewards, the horse sustained a serious near-foreleg injury and was subsequently euthanised.

The tragedy unfolded during the sixth race on the program, approximately 400 metres from the finish. Fellow apprentice Diego Montes de Oca, riding Shadow Dane, was also dislodged in the incident. NSW Ambulance Media confirmed emergency services were called at "approximately quarter to five." Paramedics found Neale unconscious with a head injury and a suspected broken ankle before she was airlifted to Dubbo Hospital. Montes de Oca suffered a foot injury and was taken by road ambulance to Dubbo Hospital.

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Following the accident, the seventh and final race on Sunday's Warren program was abandoned. Racing NSW also postponed a meeting scheduled for Monday at Scone in the Hunter Valley after consultation between officials, jockeys, and trainers. Neale's passing marks the first racing fatality in New South Wales since 2017, when Tamworth jockey Darren Jones died following a three-horse fall at Warialda Racecourse.

Neale had been in a critical condition at Dubbo Hospital before passing away on Tuesday. On Tuesday night, her family released a statement saying she had not recovered.

"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.

The Neale Family, Family Statement, via CBS News

The family's statement also highlighted a poignant final gift, noting that 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.

Neale was born and raised in the rural town of Merriwa in the Upper Hunter region. She had recorded 88 wins from 699 career starts. Before her apprenticeship with Scone trainer Scott Singleton, Neale worked for trainers Pat Farrell at Muswellbrook and Rod Northam at Scone.

Tributes flowed across social media from across the Australian racing community. Trainer Richard Freedman posted, Words are not enough. Love and support to her family. Fellow Sydney trainer John Thompson said: The world is poorer for the loss of a beautiful young lady. Heartbreaking. The Warren Jockey Club also extended heartfelt thoughts and support to Neale's connections, acknowledging the emergency services, jockeys, trainers, officials, and volunteers who assisted following the incident.