Ex-Murray Bridge jockey dies in NT race tragedy

A much-loved South Australian jockey and police officer has died after a fall at a race in the Northern Territory, the second racing tragedy this week.

Melanie Tyndall pictured early last month in Darwin

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A Darwin jockey and police officer originally from South Australia has died after a shocking race fall at Fannie Bay yesterday.

Melanie Tyndall, 32, formerly of Murray Bridge, was riding Restless in Race 3 when she clipped the heels of the horse in front and was dislodged from her mount just as they entered the home straight.

A horse trailing her trampled Tyndall when she fell to the ground.

Initial reports were Tyndall was conscious and was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital for observations, however, that changed rapidly when word spread that Tyndall had died when she arrived at RDH.

The final race at Fannie Bay was abandoned once news spread that Tyndall had died from her injuries.

The mood at the turf club quickly turned sombre among patrons and Tyndall’s colleagues when they heard the tragedy had unfolded.

Last night, the Darwin Turf Club did not provide comment on the incident, saying they were likely to make a public statement today.

It was the second jockey death in two days, following the passing of Mikaela Claridge in Victoria on Friday morning. In 2013, leading jockey Simone Montgomerie was killed on Darwin Cup day when she fell in an eerily similar spot to where Tyndall fell yesterday.

Two years ago Tyndall, who arrived in Darwin in October 2013, told the NT News she was considering giving up race riding because of weight battles and was set to become a full-time police officer.

“I’ve been battling with my weight when it comes to riding, but late last year I applied to join the police force,” Tyndall said at the time.

“It was just an option, but it was something I had been thinking about for a while. I passed everything and I was offered a position in recruitment as a junior constable.”

In March this year, the Darwin Turf Club posted on their Facebook page how Tyndall was juggling both careers. “When Mel experienced some struggles with her weight she took a break from race riding and focused her efforts on policing, completing her training in the NT Police Force and last year graduating to Constable Tyndall,” they wrote at the time.

“Mel said it was only after she had been in the NT Police force that her weight significantly dropped and she realised there might an opportunity for her to continue race riding.

“Explaining that juggling both careers can be difficult, her trainers have been very understanding that she can’t be at trackwork every morning. Mel said she also understands that because of this she won’t get the pick of the rides, but regardless she still gets plenty of support.”

The post added: “Since her first ride in 2008, Mel has had 146 career wins”.

Tyndall was originally from Murray Bridge in South Australia and moved to Darwin six years ago.