Seven racehorses have been killed and a world-renowned training centre left in ruins after devastating bushfires swept through Victoria, Australia.
A Famous Racing Dynasty Confronts Disaster
The historic Lindsay Park property, the 1,500-acre training base of the Hayes racing family, has been catastrophically damaged by the blazes. Authorities estimate that up to 90 per cent of the land has been destroyed, including the home of trainer Ben Hayes.
David Hayes, the head of the family and trainer of top sprinter Ka Ying Rising, immediately flew back from Hong Kong to aid his sons Ben, JD, and Will in the crisis. Their urgent mission was to evacuate the hundreds of horses in their care.
The Fight to Save the Herd
In a monumental effort conducted under extreme conditions, the team managed to move 320 horses to safety. However, they later confirmed the tragic loss of seven animals. Five were active racehorses on a break from training, and two were retired. One other horse remains in critical veterinary care.
"Every possible measure was taken to protect all the horses and the property under extremely difficult and rapidly changing conditions," a family statement read. "The priority throughout the event remained the safety of people and horses."
Irrigated Paddocks and Training Tracks Act as Firebreaks
David Hayes described a harrowing scene to the SEN Track show, revealing how the property's unique features helped prevent even greater loss. The irrigated paddocks and training tracks acted as vital firebreaks, saving the main stable complex and house.
"We lost probably 90 per cent of our land, Ben's house and a barn but the majority of the infrastructure was inside the protected zone," Hayes explained. "The tracks didn't burn and they acted as great fire breaks till the wind direction changed."
He recounted the exhausting, days-long battle against spot fires after the main blaze had passed, with fences destroyed and disoriented horses running in the dark. "I was seeing the odd horse that was not getting up. It was very sad," he said.
Hayes paid tribute to the horses' innate survival instincts, noting they let the fire approach before jumping onto already burnt ground and staying together in remarkably calm herds.
The fires in Victoria have had a severe wider impact, with authorities confirming one man has died, over 350 buildings destroyed, and an estimated 15,000 livestock lost. As of Monday, at least 12 major fires were still burning across the region.
