‘Devastated’ – Lindsay Park confirms seven racehorses killed in bushfire

Seven racehorses have died and one remains in a critical condition as a result of injuries suffered in the bushfires which have ravaged much of North East Victoria.

Lindsay Park, the training operation of Ben, JD and Will Hayes at Creightons Creek near Euroa, confirmed the fatalities on Sunday as the siblings and their father David come to terms with the impact of the out-of-control bushfire.

Elsewhere, Leneva Park and Longwood Thoroughbred Farm have also been hard-hit by the bushfires that have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, fences and paddocks at the respective properties.

Lindsay Park issued a statement about the tragic deaths of the horses while also confirming hundreds of horses had escaped without serious issue after a wind change saw the fire impact the private training facility late on Friday.

“Five (horses) were spelling racehorses and two were retirees. One additional horse remains in a critical condition and is receiving intensive veterinary care. All owners directly affected have been notified,” the statement said.

“Through the combined efforts of our staff, the CFA, and family members, 320 horses were brought through the fire safely and their ongoing wellbeing is assured.

“Every possible measure was taken to protect all the horses and the property under extremely difficult and rapidly changing conditions. The priority throughout the event remained the safety of people and horses.

“We extend our sincere sympathies to the owners who have suffered losses, and our thoughts are with the broader community and all those affected by the fires. 

“The Lindsay Park team who work tirelessly to care for these horses everyday are devastated by the events, and we will be ensuring they are supported.”

Inglis’ Melbourne complex at Oaklands Junction became a refuge for horses from numerous farms throughout the state’s fire-affected thoroughbred breeding areas, with 128 of Lindsay Park horses transported to the sales ground.

Pre-training facility Leneva Park was able to relocate the majority of its horses off the property on Thursday, but general manager Mick Sharkie said on Sunday after surveying the damage from the fires, that the impact will be felt for some time.

It includes total loss of fences and paddocks, but Leneva Park’s main barn barns and stable complexes were largely spared from the fires.

“Our team went above and beyond to ensure a passage to safety and we are contacting owners to arrange their return – please be patient with us,” Sharkie said in a statement.

“An enormous thank you to the North East Victorian thoroughbred network for providing temporary safe accommodation for horses in our care during this disaster.  All staff on farm are safe and unharmed. 

“They are amazing people and are keen to get back to work and start the clean up as soon as it is safe to do so.

“It will be a long road back but we look forward to returning to business in some sort of normality as soon as we can.”

The Longwood bushfire has already burnt more than 144,000 hectares and statewide the blazes have burnt more than 350,000 hectares.

Hundreds of homes have also been destroyed including that of Magic Millions’ Victorian bloodstock manager Tim Brown whose property is located near Lindsay Park.

Tragically, Victoria Police revealed late on Sunday that a body had also been found off Yarck Road, at Gobur.

Another large-scale thoroughbred operation, Blue Gum Farm, which is also near Euroa, reported on Sunday that it continued to monitor the situation after so far escaping the severity of the blaze.

About 300 horses from the Jason and Mel Stenning and Sean and Cathy Dingwall-owned farm have been relocated in case the wind changes and forces the fire in the direction of Blue Gum Farm.

Lindsay Park and Leneva Park acknowledged the support of the Country Fire Authority volunteers in tackling the bushfires.

On Saturday, the Hayes brothers said they were hopeful of returning to trackwork at Lindsay Park’s Euroa base this week.

“The main stables and operational areas, as well as all our tracks, are unaffected and we are aiming to return to business as usual as soon as possible, potentially even (Sunday) if the situation allows,” the Hayes family said.