However, the ‘devastated’ racing stable run by brothers Ben, Will, and JD Hayes also confirmed that seven horses, including two retired horses and five spelling horses, had been lost to the blaze that has devastated the area, with another in critical condition.
Efforts to evacuate horses began on Friday amid catastrophic conditions, with Lindsay Park reporting on Saturday that the Hayes’ had remained behind for as long as possible to defend the site and horses.
“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 statement said.
“One additional horse remains in a critical condition and is receiving intensive veterinary care. All owners directly affected have been notified.
“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 every day are devastated by the events, and we will be ensuring they are supported.”
Further, the stable offered its thanks to emergency services and the racing community for its outpouring of support in difficult circumstances.
“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,” they said.
“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 (Sales Complex) 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.”
Elsewhere, Longwood Thoroughbred Farm situated in Longwood East, owned by AFL tribunal boss Michael Christian, was also affected by the fire as it came under threat on Thursday afternoon, with 165 horses safely evacuated from the facility, while nearby Leneva Park also had 110 horses moved to safety.
Christian, who was on the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions Yearling Sale, flew out from Coolangatta Airport at 4pm and arrived at the property around 8:30, working with his staff through the night to safely move all horses, including The Everest winner Bella Nipotina, off the farm.
“It’s been a tough few days,” Christian told Racing.com.
“Together with my staff, who were just unbelievable, we managed to move, on Thursday night right through to Friday morning, 165 horses off our farm with the threat of the fire just to our south.
“The support we got from the community, the thoroughbred community, was just amazing, and I don’t really want to single too many people out, but Yulong Stud, Godolphin and James Manning (were) phenomenal, they did multiple trips at three and four in the morning to get horses out, Danny O’Brien sent a truck up, Troy Corstens sent a truck up, and lots of little operations (too).”
Corstens, who maintains a base in Benalla with Malua Racing, was similarly glowing in his praise for the wider racing community, with anyone able to help doing so without hesitation.
“The response from the racing and breeding community in Victoria is nothing short of amazing,” Corstens told Racing.com.
“It makes me so proud to be part of such a fantastic industry.”
