SINGAPORE, Nov 4 — A promising Australian jockey has died in Singapore after falling from his high-rise apartment block in an apparent accident, the city-state's horse racing body said today.

Tim Bell, 22, died late yesterday, Singapore Turf Club said, adding that unconfirmed reports said he was trying to scale the building after being locked out.

A statement on the turf club's website said details about the incident remain sketchy as police are still investigating. “But from unconfirmed reports it appears that Bell, 22, locked himself out from his unit, and fell to his death after attempting to climb up to the 12th storey apartment to get his house keys,” it said.

“The Singapore Turf Club would like to express its heartfelt condolences to Tim's family and friends.”

Singapore police did not immediately respond to queries from AFP.

Trainer Steven Burridge, who was instrumental in bringing Bell to Singapore on a three-and-a-half-month contract, described the accident as a tragedy, according to the statement.

“Timmy had the whole future ahead of him and not only could he ride, but he was also such a great young man, and was very driven to become a very good jockey,” Burridge said.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know more about this accident other than from what most have heard. He was locked out and fell while trying to get into his apartment.”

Australian media described Bell as a rising star in the sport, winning the 2013-2014 Brisbane jockey's premiership in his first season as a senior jockey.

Bell had already bagged five wins in Singapore, the club said. — AFP