Jockey Marina Morel dies aged 30: French rider suffers fatal injury in track accident

JOCKEY Marina Morel has tragically died aged 30.

The apprentice French rider suffered a fatal injury in a trackwork fall.

New South Wales horse racing in Australia confirmed her passing.

Marina had posted on Facebook just hours before her terrible accident on Tuesday.

She had wished her pet dog a happy birthday, then gone to work at Gulgong, where she was apprenticed to leading trainer Brett Thompson.

Marina was airlifted to Westmead Hospital after falling off a horse.

Reports said her mother had flown over from France to be at her daughter’s bedside.

The heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support was made early on Saturday.

A post from NSW Jockeys’ Twitter account read: “It is with great sadness, that we share that this morning apprentice jockey Marina Morel has passed following a tragic accident on Tuesday.

“May she rest in peace.

“Our love and thoughts are with her parents and loved ones.”

Jockeys racing on Saturday wore black armbands in her honour.

Marina had raced only ten times during her fledgling career.

Her first ride came last September and only nine more followed before a back injury forced her onto the sidelines.

She had been in Australia for eight years and attained citizenship after working for regional trainers Gayna Williams and Luke Thomas.

Group 1-winning jockey Robbie Dolan was among those paying his condolences.

He said: “People forget how dangerous this sport is, what terrible news, RIP Marina Morel thoughts with her family and friends.”

Trainer Dean Larsson said: “Terrible sad news condolences to all her friends and family. It’s such a hard game at times and dangerous being followed by an ambulance.”

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