Apprentice jockey dies in car crash near Dubbo
The racing community is in mourning after 24-year-old apprentice jockey Bronte Simpson died in a car crash at Mendooran in the NSW Central West on Monday night.
Simpson died at the scene after his SUV left the Castlereagh Highway, about 80 kilometers northwest of Dubbo, and crashed into a tree.
Apprentice Bronte Simpson, left, after the win.Credit: Sky Race
The Ballarat-raised driver moved to NSW to begin his racing career and started an apprenticeship with Sara Ryan at Wyong in February last year. He transferred to Tamworth trainer Jane Clement last August and has produced a further 13 winners since leading the Kristen Buchanan-trained Stylebender to victory on his maiden ride at Muswellbrook on May 2 this year.
Simpson had not ridden since Saturday’s Dubbo meeting and it was believed he would return home after visiting friends on Monday night.
NSW Jockeys’ Association secretary Tony Crisafi was at Gilgandra hospital on Tuesday morning to support Simpson’s family, friends and fellow cyclists.
“It’s just a tragic accident, very sad,” Crisafi said. “Jockeys are a close-knit, family-like group. We have a lot of apprentices and most of them are young girls. 80 per cent of our apprentices are women, if not over 80, so a lot of them are struggling.”
Trainer Sara Ryan and jockey Bronte Simpson.Credit: Wyong Racing Club
“His family have just come here from Ballarat… it’s terrible. It’s just a tragic accident and at the worst time of the year. He was one of the family and jockeys rally around each other.”
“There is professional counseling and they can access that. We need to keep an eye on them and make sure they are OK.”
