South Australian apprentice jockey Chelsey Reynolds flown to hospital after trackwork incident

The 28-year-old apprentice was doing trackwork about 70km south of Adelaide when the incident occurred.

Apprentice jockey Chelsey Reynolds unsaddles after a winner. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

South Australian apprentice jockey Chelsey Reynolds has been flown to Flinders Medical Centre in a critical condition after a serious incident at trackwork on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old had been working on an uphill sand gallop on the Fleurieu Peninsula, about 70km south of Adelaide, when the incident occurred.

SA Health has confirmed Reynolds is in a critical condition.

Racing SA confirmed on Tuesday afternoon it was providing support to Reynolds’ family and will provide a further update on her condition “as soon as we are able”.

It is understood Reynolds was flown to hospital in a critical condition, and paramedics were called just after 9am.

Racing SA can confirm an incident at trackwork this morning on the Fleurieu Peninsula involving apprentice jockey Chelsey Reynolds.

Chelsey is being treated at the Flinders Medical Centre. We are providing support to Chelsey’s family and will provide an update on her condition…

— Racing SA (@RacingSA) February 13, 2024

The Australian Jockeys’ Association said on social media on Tuesday afternoon: “Our thoughts and prayers are with SA apprentice Chelsey Reynolds after her accident this morning.”

Reynolds, who is indentured to Wayne Francis and Glen Kent and has seven winners from 52 rides, tasted success in her very first race, saluting on The Great Baby at Balaklava on July 30 last year.

Chelsey Reynolds.

Her last winner was on Pool Pony at Murray Bridge on December 10.

The incident comes only two weeks after apprentice jockey Kelsey Hannan was flown to hospital in an induced coma following a fall at Strathalbyn.

Hannan was later cleared of serious injuries.

A Racing SA profile last year noted that after winning her first race with her first ride, she backed up six days later to take victory in the Roxby Downs Cup. The trip there was her first ever small plane flight, and she got the win using a saddle borrowed from Rochelle Milnes.

That interview showcased her effervescent nature, admitting at Roxby she went the wrong way with the horse going to the barriers.

“Then I dropped my whip at the barriers and I was like ‘oh this is a great start’, “ she said. “But she (horse Aussie Sojourn) was amazing. She was such a quiet, lovely ride.

“I went the wrong way with the airport too. I didn’t know where we were meant to go but they also forgot my saddle, and I’m a pretty organised person so that was a big stress for me.

“But the girls were so lovely and helpful, and were amazing, they really made the day and I couldn’t have done it without them,” she said.

“All the jockeys have been really, really amazing. I think they can see I’m so nervous so they’ve been really good.”

The Racing SA piece noted Chelsey used to work on the horse tram from Victor Harbor to Granite Island.

“I’ve had my little first pony since I was eight and then did normal trial riding and stuff, and then my other job closed down and that’s when I found Finniss (Lodge) to fill in the spot but I wasn’t meant to stay there. And Glen (Kent) found out I could ride and it escalated from there,” she said.

She progressed through the Racing SA Trackwork Riding Skills Course and joined the Apprentice Academy in December.

“Once I’m on the horse I’m fine, it’s the pre-stuff when you’re weighing-in in the jockey room, but the girls have been amazing and so have all the staff,” she told Racing SA.

“I’ve always been good with animals I think, horses and any others I feel like I always get a good feel for them.

“I’m still trying to figure out the race day routine and I can’t wait until I feel 100 per cent confident getting everything ready.

“It’s been crazy, so crazy. I’ve got so many messages it’s been a real eye opener.”

Originally published as South Australian apprentice jockey Chelsey Reynolds flown to hospital after trackwork incident