Aussie horse racing rocked by second tragic death in two days

The death of a "much-loved" jockey in Darwin has sent ripples through the racing community, just a day after another female rider died in Victoria.

Melanie Tyndall, 32, who is also a police officer, had been riding at Fannie Bay when her horse fell during the third race and she later died in hospital on Saturday night.

Thoroughbred Racing NT and the Darwin Turf Club confirmed Tyndall's death in a joint statement on Saturday night.

"Melanie's mount Restless appeared to clip the heels of another runner, she became unbalanced and was dislodged near the 300-metre mark," the statement reads.

Tyndall was treated at the scene, taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital and later died.

"Melanie was a much-respected member of the Northern Territory racing family and her sad passing will be felt by many within the industry," TRNT chief executive Andrew O'Toole said.

Darwin Turf Club chairman Brett Dixon said her death was deeply saddening, before sharing condolences to her family and friends.

The tributes continued with Australian Jockeys Association chairman Des O'Keeffe telling AAP it was shattering to learn of the death of the much-loved Northern Territory jockey.

"Mel was a much-loved and highly-respected and successful jockey who had achieved great things in her professional career and outside the world of horse racing," he said.

"The thoughts of all Australian riders are with her family and her Northern Territory colleagues at this time."

Trainer Michael Hickmott took to twitter to pay a "remarkable human being".

"If people only knew the hurdles you conquered in your life to make what you did of yourself," he tweeted.

"We were all so proud of what you achieved. You defied the odds."

Tyndall's death comes just a day after apprentice jockey Mikaela Claridge died from injuries suffered in a trackwork accident in Victoria.

South Australian jockey Eran Boyd tweeted she felt numb.

"It's so hard to comprehend losing another friend & fellow rider. These past 2 days have absolutely shook our industry. Heaven has gained another angel."

Libby Hopwood, who retired after suffering brain injuries in a fall in which a rider was killed, tweeted: "Simply lost for words. Sometimes the price of this industry seems too high."

In 2013, jockey Simone Montgomerie died on Darwin Cup day after falling from a horse.

TRNT and the Darwin Turf Club will hold a media conference on Sunday afternoon.

Second tragedy in two days

The news is a devastating blow for the industry.

A day after Claridge died from injuries suffered in a trackwork accident at Cranbourne, jockeys around the country paid their respects to the apprentice rider.

Jockeys competing in the second races at Victorian meetings at Caulfield and Warracknabeal on Saturday wore black armbands while interstate riders did likewise at Rosehill in Sydney and Eagle Farm in Brisbane.

One of Melbourne's leading jockeys, Dwayne Dunn, delivered heartfelt condolences to 22-year-old Claridge's family and friends after riding Dawn Dawn to victory in the second race at Caulfield.

"I didn't have much to do with Mikaela but she was a young girl who had so much opportunity ahead of her," Dunn said.

"She had an infectious smile and I think the industry are really lost for words for what has happened.

"Condolences to Mikaela's family and her friends, and the racing industry in general because it's pretty tough.

"It's hard to go to work and never come home.

"It probably makes us realise how dangerous this sport can be and you've just got to lap up every moment you can when you're successful and the things when they go bad probably aren't as bad as you think."

Claridge had her first race ride in August last year and won her first race at Echuca the following month before adding another 28 victories.

Earlier this year the recently married Claridge transferred her indentures to Ken Keys at Cranbourne.

Keys was at Saturday's Caulfield meeting to watch his mare Spanish Reef who was unplaced in the Cockram Stakes, and said he and his family were still coming to terms with Claridge's death.

"We're struggling a bit," Keys said.

"She was a kid I think was going somewhere, but I purposely held her back.

"She was only with us for six months but in the last two months she was really starting to understand it (riding).

"She understood why we weren't letting her go to wherever for a ride and I thought the future was all there for her.

"And she was a genuine nice person."