From jokes to tragedy in minutes

Ashlee Mundy died after a fall while riding at Kurow on Sunday. Photo / Supplied

Fellow jockey remembers final moments with Ashlee Mundy who died after a fall at the weekend.

Jockey Ashlee Mundy was laughing and joking with a friend and fellow rider moments before suffering fatal head injuries after a fall from her horse mid-race.

Dunedin jockey Toni Direen was also thrown on to the track in the accident at Kurow on Sunday, after Miss Mundy's mount Elleaye clipped the heel of a horse in front on a bend.

Miss Mundy, 26, landed on her head, receiving non-survivable injuries, and it is understood she may have been trodden on by another galloping horse. Miss Direen came away with cuts and bruises.

Doctors cleared Miss Direen for a race at Waikouaiti, near Dunedin, yesterday. Before that race, which Miss Mundy was supposed to ride in, Miss Direen spoke about the tragedy on Facebook.

"I can't believe this has happened to you, one minute we were having a laugh in the gates together, the next we were both in trouble doing what we both love," she wrote.

"I'll miss seeing your bubbly happy smile at the races ... Getting back in the saddle today and gonna try ride a winner or two for you Ashlee Marie Mundy."

Hours before Miss Direen raced in honour of her friend, Miss Mundy's family were gathered at her bedside at Dunedin Hospital.

After the accident she was put on life support but even after her family made the decision to turn the machines off they remained on until her organs could be harvested for donation.

Miss Mundy's father Lockey Mundy posted a photograph on his Facebook page, showing his daughter hooked up to life-sustaining equipment. Her mother Cheryl, partner Brad Frew who flew to Dunedin after hearing about the accident, and other family were with her.

"We are still here at the hospital with her as we await the arrival of an organ donor team so in death she can give hope to others," Mr Mundy wrote.

It is understood Miss Mundy's body was being taken home to Westport yesterday. Her mother attended the race at Waikouaiti, where a minute's silence was held in honour of the fallen jockey.

Mr Frew told the Gold Coast Bulletin his girlfriend would be "sadly missed".

Miss Mundy grew up in Westport and attended Buller High School. She had been living on the Gold Coast but had returned home for Christmas - her first in about 10 years with her family, including sister Mya, 12, and brother Kane, 9.

She had been excited about staying in New Zealand for a month-long stint riding on the South Island's summer circuit.

Miss Mundy started her jockey apprenticeship in March 2004 for Christchurch's Michael Pitman.

She won her first race in August that year and went on to ride 232 winners in New Zealand and 43 in Queensland.

Miss Mundy's former school teacher Susan Tansey wrote yesterday: "Ashlee Mundy was such a lovely girl. I taught her 20 years ago as a 5-year-old in Westport and she made such an impact with her kindness even at that age that I still remember her as one of the nicest kids I have taught in my career. So sad."

A funeral service will be held for Miss Mundy on Friday in Westport.