One of Australia’s most famous horse racing families has tragically revealed that seven of their racehorses have died after bushfires devastated their Lindsay Park stables in Victoria.
The Hayes family revealed the heartbreaking news on Sunday, adding that one other horse remains in a critical condition.
Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes is understood to have rushed home from Hong Kong to assist his sons Ben, Will and JD in protecting the land and structures around their stables, which are situated just south of Euroa.
On Sunday, the family issued an update on Facebook, stating that multiple horses, including five spelling racehorses and two retirees, were understood to have passed away in the fires.
‘Now that all horses on the property have been accounted for and assessed, Lindsay Park can confirm that seven horses have tragically been lost from injuries sustained in the fire,’ the family said in a statement.
‘One additional horse remains in a critical condition and is receiving intensive veterinary care.
The Hayes family has heartbreakingly revealed that seven horses have died as bushfires swept through their Lindsay Park stables in Victoria (Pictured: Trainer JD Hayes)
Bushfires in Longwood have burned throught thousands of acres of land over the past few days
‘All owners directly affected have been notified.’
Temperatures soared into the mid-to-high 40s around Victoria on Friday, with figures of 46ºC being recorded at Hopetoun Airport in north-west Victoria.
State Premier Jacinta Allen described it as ‘one of the most dangerous fire days that this state has experienced in years.’
A devastating bushfire in Longwood, situated just east of the Lindsay Park stables, is understood to have burnt through the Hayes family’s property. The blaze has also destroyed multiple homes, a community centre and a telephone exchange in the region.
The family added that 320 horses were saved due to the ‘combined efforts of our staff and the CFA’.
‘Every possible measure was taken to protect all the horses and the property under extremely difficult and rapidly changing conditions,’ the statement added.
‘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 every day are devastated by the events, and we will be ensuring they are supported.’
Legendary trainer David Hayes (right) is understood to have returned home from Hong Kong to help his son’s battle the blaze
The family revealed that 320 horses were saved from the fires, before thanking the Country Fire Authority (pictured) who have been tackling the fires in rural Victoria
Victoria’s state control said on Friday that the Longwood fire, which has been burning through areas of central Victoria for several days, was ‘incredibly dynamic’. It added that the fire had ‘spread in multiple directions.’
The Country Fire Authority has now declared a total fire ban on north-east and north-central districts of Victoria.
Racing Victoria, meanwhile, sent their support to the Hayes family.
‘Our thoughts are with the owners, the Hayes family, the Lindsay Park team, and all those affected by this tragic event,’ Racing Victoria said.
‘We recognise the profound emotional toll such circumstances place on the people who look after these horses every day and have a deep involvement with them.
‘Racing Victoria extends its sincere sympathies to everyone impacted and acknowledges the efforts of emergency services and those working tirelessly in exceptionally difficult conditions to protect lives and property.
‘We remain in contact with Lindsay Park and will continue to offer our support during this challenging time.’
It came as Racing Victoria also deferred Friday’s meeting in Werribee until Monday due to extreme heat in the state.
The Hayes family (Pictured L-R: Brothers Ben Hayes, JD Hayes and Will Hayes) stated that they were ‘devastated’ by the tragic news
Racing Victoria sent a message of support to the family (Pictured JD, left, Will, right) and have also offered support to any other trainers who have been affected by the fires
The Hayes family also paid a heartfelt thanks to the CFA and emergency services.
‘We would like to acknowledge and thank the CFA and emergency services for their support, as well as our staff for their commitment and courage during this event,’ Lindsay Park said on Sunday.
‘We are also deeply grateful to the wider racing community for its overwhelming support — from those who assisted on the farm and helped float horses, to Inglis for housing 128 of our horses, and to the many people who have opened their homes and businesses to our staff while they are unable to return to the farm.’
David Hayes is renowned as one of Australia’s greatest horse racing trainers, having claimed 95 Group One wins during his glittering career.
In 2008, the trainer became the youngest member to be admitted to the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, having trained over 4,000 winners.
Among his achievements, he trained Jeune to victory at the 1994 Melbourne Cup and has also won two Cox Plates with Better Loosen Up in 1990 and Fields of Omagh in 2006.
After moving to Hong Kong, his sons, Ben, JD and Will have continued to manage the Lindsay Park estate.
Will, interestingly, is a talented footballer who was drafted to the Western Bulldogs as a pick No 78 in the 2018 draft. He’d go on to make 11 appearances for the Bulldogs before joining Carlton in 2022, where he made two appearances before being delisted.
