Jockey Ashlee Mundy has died after a fall at the Kurow races.
Mundy had been flown to Dunedin Hospital in a critical condition after the fall in race seven at Kurow yesterday. She died in hospital today, a spokeswoman confirmed about 10.40am.
The 26-year-old had returned to New Zealand a couple of weeks ago from Queensland, Australia, to ride on the South Island's summer circuit. The former Cantabrian was a freelance jockey at the Gold Coast Turf Club, where she had been expected to return in February.
Mundy had spent Christmas Day with her parents in Westport. "It's the first Christmas I've had with them for 10 years," she said in an interview on Boxing Day.
The jockey had been working at Kenny and Lisa Rae's Riccarton stable in Christchurch during her stay.
According to NZ Racing, Mundy had ridden 232 career winners here, including four in listed races. She was due to race at Waikouaiti tomorrow.