Tributes have poured in for Australian apprentice jockey Izzy Neale, who tragically passed away on Tuesday at just 22 after a fall in a race on Sunday.
Elsewhere, 2011 Grand National winner Ballabriggs has died at the age of 25, the fields for Cheltenham’s Paddy Power Gold Cup and Greatwood Hurdle have been trimmed, and Harry Derham may have unearthed a smart novice chaser. Here is the racing news today, rounded up for Tuesday.
Tributes paid to apprentice jockey Izzy Neale
Racing is mourning the loss of Izzy Neale, a 22-year-old apprentice jockey who passed away in Dubbo Hospital on Tuesday, surrounded by her family and friends. She had been on life support since suffering a fall in the Warren Shire Cotton Cup at Warren, in central-western New South Wales, on Sunday.
Izzy was regarded as one of the brightest young riders in country racing in New South Wales, riding 88 winners during her career. The first came on Scruff’s Magic at Condobolin in 2024, and she celebrated her first city winner on It’s A Tata at Rosehill Gardens in July.
In a statement, her family said that “through organ donation, Izzy will give others the chance of life”, and thanked Racing NSW and the NSW Jockeys’ Association for their support. Her fellow riders led the tributes, with NSW Jockeys posting: “We will all miss you Izzy.” Everyone at GG sends their deepest condolences to her family and friends.
Grand National hero Ballabriggs dies aged 25
Ballabriggs, who won the 2011 Grand National for Donald McCain and Jason Maguire, has died at the age of 25. He carried the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings, who also won the race with Hedgehunter and Many Clouds, and gave McCain his first National as a trainer, following in the footsteps of dad Ginger. He has died 15 years on from that famous day at Aintree.
It was a fitting success for the stable, after the McCain’s inextricable link to Aintree through Red Rum and Amberleigh House. Ballabriggs, who had also won the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival in 2010, won seven of his 28 starts and went back to the Grand National twice more, finishing sixth behind Neptune Collonges in 2012. He spent a long retirement at Hemmings’ Ballaseyr Stud on the Isle of Man, where he will be laid to rest, and McCain thanked him for “the amazing days and memories he gave us”.
Paddy Power Gold Cup and Greatwood fields take shape
19 horses were confirmed for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, with Ben Pauling’s Jack Richards winner Meetmebythesea still in contention. Dan Skelton has Madara, Blueking d’Oroux and Riskintheground in the line-up, though Madara’s owner is pessimistic about him running. Henry de Bromhead keeps both July Flower and Zurich in, while Paul Nicholls relies on Quebecois. The notable absentees are Jagwar and Regent’s Stroll, who were not confirmed.
The Greatwood Hurdle on Sunday has 24 confirmations, headed by Harry Fry’s Idaho Sun, who beat Mydaddypaddy in the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle and was unbeaten in three starts last season. Skelton has five in the race, namely Let It Rain, Harry Lowes, Knickerbockerglory, Listentoyourheart and The Mighty Celt. Nicky Henderson’s Iberico Lord tops the weights, while Philip Hobbs and Johnson White’s Captain Hugo and the O’Neills’ Pioneer Pete, who has won his last three, add depth. Noel Meade’s Ben Hur and Tony Martin’s Day Trader fly the flag for Ireland.
Cristal d’Estruval shines on chasing debut
Harry Derham looks to have an exciting novice chaser on his hands after Cristal d’Estruval made a winning start over fences at Carlisle on Monday. Back from almost a year off, the five-year-old soon took over from Dan Skelton’s Be Aware and jumped superbly under Paul O’Brien, before drawing clear after the last to win by 12 lengths.
He is now unbeaten in three starts under rules, and his hurdles form looks strong. He beat Baron Noir, who went on to finish fourth in the Supreme, and future Grade 1 winner Bossman Jack on his debut at Warwick last November, and the Arkle could come into the reckoning later in the season.
Racing today
There are three jumps meetings today, at Fairyhouse, Huntingdon and Lingfield, where the hurdles races are run on the all-weather. The most interesting race on the card is the Ireland v Britain amateur riders’ handicap chase at Fairyhouse at 2.30pm.
| Course | Code | First race | Last race |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairyhouse | Jumps | 12:30 | 16:00 |
| Huntingdon | Jumps | 13:10 | 15:40 |
| Lingfield | Jumps (all-weather) | 13:20 | 15:50 |
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