Female jockey Simone Montgomerie dies after fall
A 26-year old female jockey has been killed during the final day of the Darwin’s Cup Carnival in Australia.
Simone Montgomerie died after suffering fatal injuries in a fall at Fannie Bay racecourse, Darwin today (5 August).
The mother of 1 was riding in the 6th race but fell 100m from the finish.
Simone, whose father Peter Montgomerie trained 2005 Melbourne Cup runner-up On A Jeune, received treatment on the track and was rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital but died shortly afterwards.
Darwin Turf Club has cancelled the rest of the Cup Carnival, including the Darwin Cup, which was due to run later in the afternoon.
A statement from Brett Dixon, chairman of Darwin Turf Club, said: “Simone fell and sustained traumatic injuries. She was transported from the racetrack to Royal Darwin Hospital with St John Ambulance.
“Attending to her were two doctors assisted by paramedics. It is with great regret that we were advised by the family that Simone passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital.
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“There will be a full investigation, which has already been initiated by the stewards. The Darwin Turf Club along with the entire industry offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Ms Montgomerie.”
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Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.