Pinney was an unsung hero as a trackwork rider for the region's stables and on Tuesday was being remembered as a kind-hearted soul and natural horse-woman after passing away suddenly.

The 49-year-old was a fixture of Kembla Grange for more than 30 years, having worked at the racecourse since she was 15.

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Throughout that time Pinney was an apprentice for Colin Branthwaite, while she also worked closely with Bede Murray through the master trainer's heyday.

More recently she rode for Kerry Parker and was entrusted with Think It Over.

The pair have two children from a prior relationship and the trainer said Pinney was a pillar of strength for all at the track.

"Her life was horses, she worked with horses, her pleasure was horses, that's all she did," Parker said.

"She was so reliable in everything she did. Horses were her world, along with her children. She was at the track everyday, it wouldn't matter who she was working for. She was reliable, genuine and loved what she did."

Pinney's death has left the racing community in shock, with trainers, jockeys and officials in mourning.

Think It Over was one of multiple black-type horses Pinney rode throughout her career. While working for Murray, she put the likes of Victory Vein and Universal Prince through their paces.

It's a sign of her skill and the respect Kembla Grange trainers had for Pinney.

That also stretched down the coast, with Pinney forming a close bond with Shoalhaven's Michelle Ritchie.

"They were like sisters," Paul Murray said. "It was very hard when we heard the news. It's very hard to get our heads around it at the moment.

"She rode all of our good horses, Universal Prince, Half Hennessy, Victory Vein. She was there for us through all the good times.

"She was a very good trackwork rider, you could tell her to go out and do the work and she'd do it to a T. You never had to go and watch her work, she'd tell you exactly how they worked and be spot on all the time."

Pinney's passion for horses extended beyond the race track. The rider had a keen interest in show horses, while she also mentored the region's upcoming jockeys.

Apprentice Madi Waters posted a heartfelt message on social media thanking Pinney for her guidance.

Pinney was an apprentice herself when Michael Craig started working at the Illawarra Turf Club. Since then, the Kembla Grange racing manager watched her grow into a much-loved rider.

"I've been here for 22 years," Craig said. "She's been a feature of Kembla Grange for all of that time.

"She didn't ride in races for very long, but she'd always been a work rider here. She was loved by everyone in the place, she wouldn't have an enemy in the world."

Pinney and Think It Over formed a close bond throughout the past couple of years, the horse developing into a star and potentially on a path to the Cox Plate.

Parker is devastated his friend won't be here for the next phase of the journey, but he knows the best way to honour her legacy is to continue racing.

"That would be beautiful if he can have a big performance for her," Parker said.

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