Controversial Adelaide Hills horse trainer Anthony Thomas says Nissan X-TRAIL ‘explosion’ was attempt on his life

A star equestrian trainer says he narrowly survived an attempt on his life that left him with horrific wounds in the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Controversial equestrian trainer Anthony Thomas has claimed he narrowly survived an attempt on his life, saying his car was set alight in a “set up” to “finish me”.

A polarising identity within the showjumping industry, The Advertiser understands the incident took place near Mr Thomas’ Adelaide Hills property in 2023.

He took to social media late last month to share photos of his vehicle – a Nissan X-TRAIL – engulfed in flames.

“This time last year I survived the X-TRAIL explosion,” he posted.

“I’m so lucky today to be here to tell this story.”

Mr Thomas claimed while he couldn’t prove it, he believed the fire was a “set up” to “finish me”.

Anthony Thomas was caught up in a car fire and spent time with burns at the RAH. Picture: Facebook

Anthony Thomas’ burns following the fire. Picture: Facebook

Anthony Thomas was caught up in a car fire and spent time with burns at the RAH. Picture: Facebook

He shared images of gruesome injuries he said occurred from the incident, saying he spent a “horrible” Christmas in 2023 in the Adelaide Royal Hospital burns section.

“They were so professional and I was out of there fast as I wanted to get home,” his post read.

It is not clear if Mr Thomas was in the vehicle or near it when the incident happened, or how he sustained the injuries.

Mr Thomas is no stranger to controversy, with The Advertiser revealing in May he had been allegedly filmed repeatedly striking a horse, with his helmet, at his Oakside Park Stud facility.

He issued an apology, and was subsequently provisionally suspended by Equestrian Australia – in October, he was formally charged with ill treatment of an animal.

Mr Thomas faced court in November, charged with ill-treatment of an animal, over the accusation he struck the horse.

Horse trainer Anthony Thomas arrives at Mount Barker Courthouse to face animal cruelty charges. Picture: Brenton Edwards

During that hearing, he flagged a challenge to the authenticity of the video.

The case was adjourned until 2024 and he did not enter a plea.

Mr Thomas was placed on bail over the animal cruelty charges following claims, made in court, that he had been harassing the woman who reported him to the RSPCA.

In a separate case, Mr Thomas is also facing a civil trial, in the Federal Court, on unrelated allegations of sexual harassment.

Kate Crauford, 23, launched Federal Court action in 2023 against the decorated Adelaide Hills coach, with court documents allege that as a teenager she suffered sexual harassment from being bombarded with hundreds of inappropriate, and offensive messages, seeing him semi-naked and repeatedly being left feeling uncomfortable.

Ms Crauford, an American-based rising star show jumper formerly of Mount Gambier, is suing for undisclosed damages over claims he unlawfully breached her human rights three years ago.

Mr Thomas, who owns a $3m, 46ha Paechtown property, on Mount Barker’s outskirts, denies all allegations, insisting he always acted appropriately and his messages were “friendly banter”.

SAPOL and Mr Thomas were contacted for comment over the car fire incident.

Originally published as Controversial Adelaide Hills horse trainer Anthony Thomas says Nissan X-TRAIL ‘explosion’ was attempt on his life