Female jockey critically injured in second serious fall in as many days

Another female jockey has received critical injuries after falling from her horse during a race – the second in as many days.

A second female jockey has been seriously injured in as many days after falling from her horse during a race in NSW.

Emergency services were called to Gunnedah Jockey Club, about 50km west of Tamworth, on Monday afternoon.

Apprentice jockey Elissa Meredith sustained critical head injuries after falling from her mount Starlink, NSW Racing said in a statement.

The 26-year-old was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

Elissa Meredith is the second apprentice jockey to suffer critical injuries during a race in as many days. Image: Facebook

It comes just one day after another apprentice jockey Leah Kilner was also critically injured in a similar fall at Grafton racecourse, in the state’s northeast.

Footage captured the 24-year-old’s horse Stella’s Turn collapsing just 70m from the finish line on Sunday.

In very similar circumstances, the front legs of Ms Meredith’s horse collapsed shortly after the start causing her to fall forward and hit her head.

The 26-year-old’s horse collapsed just moments after the start of the race on Monday afternoon. Image: NSW Racing

Ms Meredith sustained critical head injuries in the fall, according to Westpac Rescue helicopter personnel. Image: NSW Racing

Racing NSW confirmed Ms Kilner remained in an induced coma on Monday afternoon and was being treated for a potential brain injury.

“Leah has been cleared of spinal injuries but has sustained fractured ribs and a fractured clavicle,” NSW Racing said in a statement.

“She remains in an induced coma and will be monitored for her head injuries.”

Ms Meredith has run more than 595 races in NSW, winning 33 of them.