Australian jockey succumbs to injuries from fall

Wise Dan, the defending horse of the year in the U.S. (AP)

CALOUNDRA, Australia — A 45-year-old female jockey died in a hospital from injuries sustained in a race fall north of Brisbane on Saturday.

Racing Queensland said in a statement Sunday that Desiree Gill was taken to a hospital after falling from her mount, Celtic Ambition, in the fifth race at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club. She died early Sunday.

Gill was the wife of leading Queensland trainer Barry Gill and she had previously worked for Racing Queensland in the training department. She spent 30 years in the racing industry and won four races at Bundaberg on Melbourne Cup day.

Racing Queensland said Gill "was widely admired and loved for her passion for the racing industry and in particular, her commitment to developing the next generation of jockeys."

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