Apprentice jockey Izzy Neale’s final selfless act revealed by heartbroken family after her death

Izzy Neale’s final selfless act has been revealed by her family as tributes flow for the 22-year-old apprentice jockey.

Neale was airlifted to Dubbo Hospital on Sunday after suffering catastrophic injuries when her mount Marnoo fell in a race in regional NSW.

But she never recovered, with the rising star’s family confirming her death on Tuesday night following a difficult 48 hours.

They were consoled, though, by confirmation that Neale’s organs could be donated.

“Izzy will give others the chance of life, bringing some comfort to our family amid this devastating loss,” they said.

Neale’s family thanked the racing community for their “love, kindness and support” in recent days.

“Izzy rode horses before she could walk,” they said.

“Her love of horses was a lifelong passion that, more recently, had grown into a love of racing.”

Neale, who grew up in the small town of Merriwa in NSW, rode her first city winner in July this year at Rosehill.

The racing industry and wider Australian community mourned Neale on Tuesday night.

Trainer Richard Freedman wrote: “Words are not enough. Love and support to her family.”

Fellow Sydney trainer John Thompson said: “The world is poorer for the loss of a beautiful young lady. Heartbreaking.”

Racing pundit Ben Walker said he would “never forget” the day he interviewed Neale when she raced “in the most insane set of colours” — a Minions outfit, complete with eyes on her helmet.

“Neither of us could keep a straight face,” he wrote.

“You hated (but secretly loved) them and I (not secretly) loved dragging the interview out so you’d be seen in them for longer.

“Love ya Iz.”

Australian cricket greats Kerry O’Keeffe and Mark Waugh, who are both involved in thoroughbred racing, paid tribute to Neale.

“Izzy Neale was a star... this is the saddest of days,” O’Keeffe wrote.

“Her smile lit up the mounting enclosure... the love and respect she had for the horse was obvious.

“It was an absolute honour to have known her... my condolences to her family... she will be remembered forever... R.I.P.”

Mark Waugh: “Devastating to hear of the passing of Izzy Neale. A beautiful young lady who was a pleasure to deal with and absolutely loved her horses. Condolences to her family and friends.”

Neale’s six-year-old gelding Marnoo was euthanased after sustaining a foreleg injury in the fall.

Fellow jockey Diego Montes de Oca, who was riding Shadow Dane, was dislodged shortly after Neale’s accident.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance, sustaining soft-tissue injuries to his left foot, and was later discharged from hospital.

The seventh and final race on Sunday’s Warren program was abandoned following the incident, while Monday’s meeting at Scone in the Hunter Valley was postponed after consultation between officials, jockeys and trainers.

— with AAP