The New Zealand racing community is once again in mourning following the death of apprentice driver Megan Taylor following a fall on December 15.
Taylor, who is in his third season, was among four equestrians who fell during an incident at the second race at Ashburton.
Her fellow riders, Samantha Wynne, Tina Comignaghi and Diego Monte de Oca, are being evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries. Wynne is suspected of having broken his collarbone.
Taylor apprenticed with coach Andrew Carston, after starting her career with John Blackadder, and has a background in event planning, spending two years with Tim and Jonelle Price in the UK. .
The 26-year-old’s death comes just four months after Japanese equestrian Taiki Yanagida died of injuries sustained in a fall at Cambridge on New Zealand’s North Island.
Bruce Sharrock, managing director of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, said: “We extend our deepest condolences to Megan’s family, friends and others in the racing community who worked closely with her. We will support them in any way we can in the coming days and weeks. We will also support the equestrians and others who took part in the races today.”
One of Taylor’s friends paid tribute to the jockey, describing her as a “beautiful soul loved by so many.”
Alex Coleman told the New Zealand Herald: “I’m not sure anyone can find the words to describe the pain of Megan’s loss.
“She was a beautiful soul loved by so many and the shock of her being tragically taken away at such a young age left me completely paralyzed.”
New Zealand Racing Integrity Commission staff and police are still at the scene investigating the incident, which occurred after the runners ran straight home for the second race.
The remainder of the meeting in Ashburton was canceled following the incident.
