Apprentice jockey Izzy Neale in critical condition after fall, Monday meeting abandoned

Scone races were abandoned on Monday as apprentice jockey Izzy Neale remained in a critical condition following a shocking fall at Warren on Sunday.

The 22-year-old 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.

Neale fell heavily and was unconscious when airlifted to Dubbo Hospital. Marnoo was euthanised after suffering a near foreleg injury.

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, who has 88 winners and started her career in February 2024, remained in a critical condition and the decision had been made to call off Monday’s meeting at her home track.

Neale, who hails from Merriwa, is indentured to Scone trainer Scott Singleton.

“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 Racing NSW statement read.

“The decision follows the serious race fall involving apprentice jockey Izzy Neale at Warren yesterday. 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.”

Neale has ridden in Sydney 11 times and won a Highway Handicap on It’s A Tata for Brett Robb at Rosehill in July.