Surgeons have told the family of track rider Lizz Rice, who sustained severe head injuries in a heavy fall at Caulfield over a fortnight ago, that medication keeping her alive would be withdrawn on Friday.
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They told Rice's family in a meeting on Wednesday night that the Englishwoman's brain continued to show no activity and as a result medication would be withdrawn.
Australian Jockeys' Association general manager Des O'Keeffe told Fairfax Media the outcome for Rice was "tragic" and that her family was devastated.
"It's really sad. Terrible circumstances for a young 26-year-old [who is an] extremely confident horsewoman," O'Keeffe said.
"It's just a really tragic, freak accident.
"She was very, very confident and extremely good at the job and absolutely loved her work and it's just a very, very sad and tragic outcome for her family and the workforce at Caulfield - her workmates at Caulfield."
Rice's mother and sister flew out from England to Australia two weeks ago to be by her side.
"I think they're in a state of shock at the moment, just coming to terms with how this could all unfold," O'Keeffe said of Rice's family.
O'Keeffe paid tribute to the medical staff at the Alfred Hospital who had tended to Rice since her fall on January 12, describing them as "magnificent".
O'Keeffe said Rice's fall was "bizarre" and while WorkCover was still investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, O'Keeffe believed the fall took place near the Caulfield racecourse swimming pool area.
"There's no tricks to the horse. The horse is a really sensible, reliable, quiet horse, but even the most quiet horse is unpredictable. They're flight animals and it can be a dangerous situation," he said.
Rice had been working for the Aquanita stable at the time of the fall following stints in New South Wales and Queensland.
