Apprentice jockey Izzy Neale is fighting for her life after being involved in a horror race fall at Warren races on Sunday.
She is just 22.
Neale, a shining light of the female apprentice ranks, was dislodged from her mount Marnoo in the Warren Shire Cotton Cup after the horse suffered a fatal foreleg injury at the 400 metre mark.
The much-loved apprentice lost consciousness as a result of the fall where on-track paramedics organised for her to be airlifted to Dubbo Hospital.
Neale remains in a critical condition with family and friends by her bedside.
Given the extent of the injuries and the widespread shock being felt throughout the racing industry, Racing NSW made the decision to postpone Monday’s Scone meeting to Wednesday.
“The decision follows the serious race fall involving apprentice jockey Izzy Neale at Warren yesterday (Sunday),” a racing NSW spokesperson said.
“Izzy remains in Dubbo Hospital in a critical condition, with her family by her side.
“The thoughts and heartfelt support of Racing NSW and the entire racing community are with Izzy, her family, friends and colleagues during this extremely difficult time.”
Born and raised in the Upper Hunter town of Merriwa, the serious nature of Neale’s injuries has hit all corners of the tight-knit racing industry hard.
Hugely popular among her peers, it was in early 2024 that Neale transitioned from the amateur ranks to launch her career in the saddle and she did so in style, booting home Scruff’s Magic to victory at Condobolin at her first ever professional race ride.
It would be the springboard to a hugely promising career that has netted 88 race victories.
In July, Neale lit up Rosehill Gardens with her radiant smile when she won aboard It’s A Tata to deliver her first city winner.
The horse was trained by Dubbo mentor Brett Robb to whom Neale is indentured to for her apprenticeship before recently going out on loan to Scone trainer Scott Singleton.