Izzy Neale jockey fall Warren racing accident, Digi Mart USA News (Warren, New South Wales, Australia): Australian apprentice jockey Izzy Neale was airlifted to hospital and is fighting for her life after a serious fall at Warren on Sunday afternoon. The 22-year-old was unseated from her mount Marnoo during the Cotton Cup and sustained severe injuries.
Neale had been riding for trainer Kiran Hazelton at the regional New South Wales track in a 1600m race when both she and fellow jockey Diego Montes de Oca, aboard Shadow Dane, were thrown from their horses with approximately 400m remaining. The remainder of the day’s racing was abandoned, with one race still left on the card.
Marnoo was put down after sustaining a “near foreleg injury,” according to Racing NSW Stewards. Neale was flown by helicopter to Dubbo Hospital in a critical condition after losing consciousness on the track following the fall.
Montes de Oca was taken to hospital by ambulance but has since been discharged, having suffered only soft tissue damage to his left foot. Neale remains in a critical state after reportedly sustaining serious head injuries.
Monday’s scheduled race meeting at Scone has been postponed to Wednesday. In a statement, Racing NSW said the decision followed consultation with jockeys and trainers, and that Neale remains in Dubbo Hospital in a critical condition with her family by her side.
An investigation into the incident has been launched.
Born in Merriwa, Neale progressed from the academy ranks in 2024 and began riding, securing victory at Condobolin on her debut professional race ride. She has achieved 88 wins from 699 starts.
On Saturday, she was competing at Rosehill as part of Five Diamonds Day, and she had told Sky Racing she was on the verge of completing the purchase of her first house this week.
Support has poured in from the racing community. Former jockey Melinda Turner wrote that she was praying for a miracle, and the Australian Jockeys’ Association said it was sending love and support to Neale and Montes de Oca.
Melbourne Cup-winning rider Robbie Dolan said it had been a tough day to be a jockey.
