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Female Jockey Dies After Darwin Race Fall

3 minute read

A second female jockey has died in as many days after a fall during a race in Darwin.

Melanie Tyndall, 32, who served as a police officer, was critically injured when her mount fell during the third race at Fannie Bay on Saturday.

She passed away in Royal Darwin Hospital on Saturday night.

Tyndall's death comes just a day after apprentice jockey Mikaela Claridge died from injuries suffered in a trackwork accident in Victoria.

Thoroughbred Racing NT and the Darwin Turf Club confirmed Tyndall's death in a joint statement on Saturday night.

"Melanie's mount Restless appeared to clip the heels of another runner, she became unbalanced and was dislodged near the 300-metre mark," the statement said.

"Melanie was a much-respected member of the Northern Territory racing family and her sad passing will be felt by many within the industry," TRNT chief executive Andrew O'Toole said.

Tyndall began her riding career in 2008 and had registered her 150th race win in the race prior to her tragic fall. 

Acting NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said Ms Tyndall, a constable, had been a respected member of Casuarina Police Station.

Mr Murphy said he had personally assured her partner and her father that the police family stood ready to help in whatever way they could.

"This is an incredibly difficult time for her partner, family, friends, colleagues and the wider police family," he said in a statement.

"Melanie had forged deep and strong ties in our small community and police are providing every possible support to her family."

Darwin Turf Club chairman Brett Dixon said the jockey's death was deeply saddening, before sharing condolences to her family and friends.

Australian Jockeys Association chairman Des O'Keeffe said it was shattering to learn of the death of the Northern Territory jockey a day after Victorian apprentice Mikaela Claridge died after an early morning trackwork accident at Cranbourne..

"Mel was a much-loved and highly-respected and successful jockey who had achieved great things in her professional career and outside the world of horse racing," he said.

"The thoughts of all Australian riders are with her family and her Northern Territory colleagues at this time."

Many racing industry participants took to Twitter to express their grief over the tragic accidents.

Trainer Michael Hickmott paid tribute to Tyndall as a "remarkable human being".

"If people only knew the hurdles you conquered in your life to make what you did of yourself," he tweeted.

"We were all so proud of what you achieved. You defied the odds."

South Australian jockey Eran Boyd tweeted she felt numb.

"It's so hard to comprehend losing another friend & fellow rider. These past 2 days have absolutely shook our industry. Heaven has gained another angel."

Libby Hopwood, who retired after suffering brain injuries in a fall in which a rider was killed, tweeted: "Simply lost for words. Sometimes the price of this industry seems too high."

In 2013, jockey Simone Montgomerie died on Darwin Cup day after falling from a horse.

TRNT and the Darwin Turf Club will hold a media conference on Sunday afternoon.

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