Apprentice jockey Izzy Neale remains in a critical condition in Dubbo Hospital after a serious race fall at Warren on Sunday, leading Racing NSW to postpone Monday's meeting at Scone, her home track.
Neale, 22, was riding the Kieren Hazelton-trained Marnoo in the Cotton Cup (1600m) when the six-year-old gelding knuckled over on the home turn near the 400m mark. She fell heavily and was unconscious when airlifted to Dubbo Hospital. Marnoo was euthanised after suffering a near foreleg injury.
Another rider, Diego Montes de Oca, who was riding Shadow Dane, was dislodged shortly after Neale's fall and taken to Dubbo hospital by ambulance with a suspected broken foot. The remaining race on the program was abandoned.
Racing NSW announced on Monday morning that Neale remained in a critical condition with her family by her side, and that the decision had been made to call off the meeting at Scone. The statement said: “Following consultation with jockeys and trainers engaged to participate at today’s race meeting at Scone, a decision has been made to postpone the meeting. … 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.”
Neale, who hails from Merriwa, is indentured to Scone trainer Scott Singleton. She started her career in February 2024 and has ridden 88 winners. She has ridden in Sydney 11 times and won a Highway Handicap on It’s A Tata for Brett Robb at Rosehill in July.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident highlights the inherent risks in horse racing, particularly for young apprentice jockeys.
- The strong response from Racing NSW and the racing community demonstrates the sport's close-knit support network.
- The postponement of the Scone meeting underscores the immediate impact of such accidents on regional racing schedules.
Background
Neale, 22, began her career in February 2024 and has already recorded 88 winners. She is indentured to Scone trainer Scott Singleton, and the Scone track is her home ground. Sunday's fall at Warren was the second incident in the race, with another rider taken to hospital. The horse involved was euthanised due to a near foreleg injury.
What to Watch
- Updates on Izzy Neale's condition from Dubbo Hospital and Racing NSW.
- The rescheduling of the abandoned Scone meeting.
- Any investigation by Racing NSW into the circumstances of the fall.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe Scone meeting was abandoned.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Apprentice jockey Izzy Neale in critical condition after fall, Monday meeting abandoned.”
- SupportedMarnoo was euthanised after the Warren incident.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Marnoo was euthanised after suffering a near foreleg injury.”
- SupportedA fellow rider was injured in the incident.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Diego Montes de Oca, who was riding Shadow Dane, was dislodged shortly after Neale’s fall and taken to Dubbo hospital by ambulance with a suspected broken foot.”
- SupportedNeale remained in critical condition in Dubbo Hospital after a race fall at Warren on Sunday.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Scone races were abandoned on Monday as apprentice jockey Izzy Neale remained in a critical condition following a shocking fall at Warren on Sunday.”
- Partly supportedThe fall led Racing NSW to postpone Monday’s Scone meeting.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““The decision follows the serious race fall involving apprentice jockey Izzy Neale at Warren yesterday.””
- SupportedThe Racing NSW statement included the quoted words about consulting jockeys and trainers and sending support to Neale and her family, friends and colleagues.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““Following consultation with jockeys and trainers engaged to participate at today’s race meeting at Scone, a decision has been made to postpone the meeting,” ... “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.””
- SupportedNeale was 22 years old.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The 22-year-old was riding the Kieren Hazelton-trained Marnoo in the Cotton Cup (1600m)”
- SupportedNeale was riding Marnoo in the Cotton Cup, a 1600-metre race.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The 22-year-old was riding the Kieren Hazelton-trained Marnoo in the Cotton Cup (1600m)”
- SupportedMarnoo knuckled over on the home turn near the 400-metre mark.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the six-year-old gelding knuckled over on the home turn near the 400m mark.”
- SupportedNeale fell heavily and was unconscious when airlifted to Dubbo Hospital.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Neale fell heavily and was unconscious when airlifted to Dubbo Hospital.”
- SupportedThe remaining race on the program was abandoned.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The remaining race on the program was abandoned.”
- SupportedNeale had ridden 88 winners.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Racing NSW announced on Monday morning that Neale, who has 88 winners and started her career in February 2024, remained in a critical condition”