NZ Racing community left 'shattered'

The death of a Riverton jockey in Gore on Sunday has left the New Zealand Racing community shattered.

Rebecca Black was killed after falling from her horse Point Proven who stumbled during a race at the Tapanui Racing Club.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing CEO Greg Purcell says the day was supposed to be full of Christmas spirit.

"The racing community is just shattered," he says.

"It's a very tightknit community across the country but particularly in Southland."

"People went to the races on Sunday in the Christmas spirit and everyone left the track in a very sombre mood."

Mr Purcell says Ms Black enthusiasctic about racing.

"Rebecca was a committed jockey, she was a great horse woman [and] dedicated to our sport.

"She was a mother of three and the industry across both Southland and right across the country are devastated."

It is understood Ms Black's three children were in attendance at the time of the fatal fall.

New Zealand Jockey Association president Dave Taylor described the incident as "just a tragic accident and it's hard to accept".

Newshub.