Jockey Romane Brizard, 21, dies following fall in the west of France

The family of Romane Brizard announced on Monday afternoon that the apprentice jockey had died in hospital following a fall on Sunday at Blain-Bouvron-Le Gave in the west of France. She was 21.

Brizard was aboard Eigle Star when she was caught up in an incident that brought four horses to the ground, and reportedly received a blow to the head. After suffering cardiac arrest, she was resuscitated during a helicopter evacuation to hospital in nearby Nantes. But writing on Brizard's Facebook page on Monday, her sister Margaux confirmed the worst.

The message read: "As you know, she suffered a fall from her horse yesterday afternoon and, having fought for her life as she did every day, Romane's tiny heart has stopped and her eyes have closed. One more star has gone to heaven."

Brizard worked for trainer Pierre Fertillet at Nozay near Nantes, and had ridden two winners in 2019 out of a career total of six from 92 rides dating back to 2015.

The chairman of Blain racecourse Philippe Souchaud told French racing channel Equidia: "We have all been floored by what has happened. We have 14 medical attendants on track along with two ambulances, while the doctor was at her side within seconds. The helicopter which took her to the emergency room in Nantes was on site within a quarter of an hour."

Of the three other jockeys involved in the incident, Corentin Berge suffered a double fracture to the jaw, while Tom Lefranc and Alexis Gautron both escaped without major injury.