22-Year-Old Jockey Izzy Neale Dies After Fall During Race in Australia

Australian apprentice jockey Izzy Neale has died at age 22 after her horse suffered a fatal fall in a Sunday race in Australia, her family announced.

The news was shared by Racing NSW, which regulates thoroughbred horse racing in New South Wales.

"It is with deep sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Izzy, surrounded by her closest family and friends," Neale's family stated. "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."

Neale fell from her horse Marnoo during a one-mile race at the Warren Shire Cotton Cup Sunday in New South Wales.

She was airlifted to Dubbo Hospital in critical condition. Her brother later said in a social media post Neale had been placed on life support.

Marnoo was euthanized after suffering a near foreleg injury, according to Racing NSW.

Jockey Diego Montes de Oca, who was injured at the same point in the race, was released from the hospital Sunday with soft tissue injuries to his left foot, according to Racing NSW.

Neale was a native of Merriwa, New South Wales who graduated from the picnic to professional circuit. She earned her first picnic win in February 2024 and went on to record 88 career wins and 269 places in 699 starts.

She had celebrated her first metropolitan winner with It's A Tata this July at Rosehill Gardens outside Sydney.

Racing NSW previously announced a race scheduled for Monday in Scone, located near Neale's hometown, would be rescheduled to Wednesday.