Jockey dies in front of children after horse racing collision

Rebecca Black, a 40-year-old jockey, has died in New Zealand as her children looked on, after a collision with another horse on the racetrack.

The mother of three was flung from her horse, Proven Point, in the accident on Sunday.

It was reported that Proven Point fell on top of Black, after it clipped Misscattlecreek, ridden by Terry Moseley, who sustained minor injuries in the accident.

Misscattlecreek was said to have been put down shortly afterwards.

Black's former partner Kevin Tyler said two of the couple's children were present at the race at Tapanui Racing Club in Gore, on New Zealand's South Island.

He told the New Zealand Herald: "They're obviously pretty shocked and devastated."

Described by her former partner as a "horse person" friends paid tribute to Black, with Kathy McInnes, who had completed her jockey apprenticeship with her, speaking of her natural gift for the sport. She said she was in awe of Black's "sheer nerves of steel".

The chief executive of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, Greg Purcell, said: "All our thoughts are with Rebecca's family and friends at this dreadful time."

Black had enjoyed a career of more than 20 years, riding in more than 1,200 races, winning 108.

A police spokesperson said they were called to the incident at 4.10pm, local time. The scene was also attended by paramedics who said that Black was dead when they arrived.

Police said they were preparing a report for the coroner.

In 2012, Ashley Mundy died aged 26 after falling from her horse during a race in Kurow also on the South Island of New Zealand. She sustained fatal head injuries in the accident.

Earlier this year, Irish Jockey JT McNamara died three years after breaking two vertebrae at the 2013 Cheltenham festival. Freddy Tylicki was also paralysed last month after a collision involving four horses at Kempton Park.