Heywood was hurt when his mount, Barramundi Lad, lost its footing and fell suddenly around 400m after the start in the opening race, a five-horse 1175m maiden.

Racing NSW said Heywood lost consciousness briefly and was transported to Albury hospital with neck and shoulder pain.

He suffered a broken left collarbone and has rib injuries and neck soreness.

The Peter Maher trained Barramundi Lad was reported to be okay after the fall

It's a blow for the jockey who also had a wrist injury early in the year but had been in scintillating form in recent months.

Going into the Albury meeting, Heywood had had a winner at each his last four meetings: at Wagga last Friday, Corowa on Monday, Canberra on Melbourne Cup day and Goulburn on Wednesday.

His recent strike rate had been phenomenal with 11 wins and 10 placings in his last 51 rides.

The Mitch Beer-trained Shadow Company ($2.30) won the race. It was the first leg of a race-to-race double for Beer and jockey Jordan Mallyon who teamed up with Mnementh ($3.10) in the next.

Fellow Albury trainer Donna Scott and jockey Blaike McDougall had a double with Spirit of Freedom ($8.50) and Sharlie ($2.40) winning consecutive races.

Wagga trainer Gary Colvin's Kurocaine (ridden by Jordan Mallyon) had a minor placing when second behind Gratz Vella's odds-on favourite Major Time.