Leading Melbourne apprentice Jye McNeil is to undergo surgery on a broken leg following a pre-race fall at Bendigo.

McNeil suffered a fracture to his lower left leg and a dislocated ankle in the fall from Preemptive before the VOBIS Gold Rush on Saturday.

After leaving the mounting yard, Preemptive threw McNeil forward over his head and the young jockey got his right leg caught in the reins.

Preemptive took fright and McNeil was tossed around like a rag doll before he was able to break free.

McNeil was transferred from Bendigo Hospital to the Epworth Hospital in Melbourne to undergo the surgery.