Racing community in mourning after apprentice jockey dies in car crash

2 months ago 16

By Craig Kerry

December 23, 2025 — 12.58pm

The racing community is in mourning after the death of 24-year-old apprentice jockey Bronte Simpson in a car crash on Monday night at Mendooran in the NSW Central West.

Simpson died at the scene after her SUV left the Castlereagh Highway about 80 kilometres north-west of Dubbo and hit a tree.

Apprentice Bronte Simpson, left, after a win.

The Ballarat-raised rider had moved to NSW to start her racing career and began her apprenticeship with Sara Ryan at Wyong in February last year. She transferred to Tamworth trainer Jane Clement last August and had racked up 13 more winners since taking the Kristen Buchanan-trained Stylebender to victory with her first ride, at Muswellbrook on May 2 this year.

Simpson had not ridden since the Dubbo meeting on Saturday and was believed to be travelling home on Monday night after visiting friends.

NSW Jockeys’ Association secretary Tony Crisafi was at Gilgandra hospital on Tuesday morning to support Simpson’s family, friends and fellow riders.

“It’s just a tragic accident, very sad,” Crisafi said. “It’s a tight-knit, family-like group, the jockeys. We’ve got a lot of apprentices and a lot of them are young girls. Eighty-per cent of our apprentices are female, if not higher than 80, so a lot of them are struggling.

Trainer Sara Ryan and jockey Bronte Simpson.

“Her parents have just arrived here from Ballarat ... it’s just terrible. It’s just a tragic accident and at the worst time of the year. She was one of the family and jockeys will rally around each other.

“There is professional counselling, and they can access that. We’ve just got to keep an eye on them and make sure they are OK.”

Simpson told Provincial Racing NSW in July: “I was on a horse before I could walk”.

“We had five acres outside Ballarat and my older sister had a pony. I did eventing and got one of my better horses to the Melbourne International. There was no family background in racing, but I was attracted to it.

“At one stage I was going to be apprenticed to Ballarat trainer Archie Alexander, but my partner and myself decided to head north to warmer weather and spent some time in Queensland before coming back to New South Wales. My goal, naturally, is to eventually be a city jockey.”

NSW Police issued a statement on the fatal crash on Tuesday morning.

“A woman died when her SUV left the highway and hit a tree about 80km north-west of Dubbo overnight,” it read.

“Emergency services were called to the Castlereagh Highway at Mendooran, about 9.15pm (Monday 22 December 2025), after a passing motorist saw the crashed vehicle. Passers-by assisted the driver; however, the woman – believed to be aged in her 20s – died at the scene.

“Officers attached to Orana-Mid Western Police District will prepare a report for the information of the coroner.”

The tragic news sparked an outpouring of grief on social media. Star Sydney jockey Tommy Berry was among those paying tribute.

“Devastating news,” Berry posted on Instagram. “Thoughts with everyone involved.”

Bathurst trainer Gayna Williams posted on Facebook: “Such tragic news. Thinking of Bronte’s family and friends and especially Jane and Clemo. Life can be very cruel.”