Racing officials in Ireland were "shocked" yesterday by news that the Kildare jockey Damien Murphy was killed in a fall in Australia on Friday.

Murphy (23) incurred fatal injuries at Wellington racecourse in New South Wales when his horse clipped heels with another runner and fell.

The rider suffered head injuries and reportedly also suffered a heart attack at the scene. He was airlifted to hospital in Sydney but died over the weekend.

Murphy had lived in Australia for over a year since leaving Ireland in 2005 after a career here that included 12 winners. Initially apprenticed to Kevin Prendergast, Murphy also worked for another Curragh trainer, Declan Gillespie, before continuing his career in Australia.

"I'm shocked at the news and it will be the same for everybody in the sport," the Turf Club's chief executive, Denis Egan, said. "It's desperately sad news and our sympathies obviously go to the young lad's family."

Murphy won his first race on his very first ride, on Newhall at Down Royal in 2001. His last success in Ireland was the Declan Gillespie-trained Lake Andre at Naas in April of 2005.