Emma Pritchard, Clarence Valley Independent
The Clarence River Jockey Club (CRJC) postponed Races 4-9 on the opening day of the 2022 XXXX July Winter Racing Carnival, the Westlawn Finance Prelude Day on July 3, following a shocking incident in the concluding stages of Race 3, the Westlawn Business Loans 2YO Maiden Plate over 1015m.
Apprentice jockey Leah Kilner, 24, was dislodged from her mount, the Owen Glue trained Stella’s Turn inside the final 100m when the filly tragically went amiss and crashed to the turf.
NSW Ambulance paramedics were quicky on the scene and attended to Kilner, who was reportedly drifting in and out of consciousness while on the track.
Due to the severity of the incident, officers from the Coffs/Clarence Police District also attended the scene.
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter was summoned and Kilner received further treatment following their arrival before being transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.
Unfortunately, Stella’s Turn sustained serious injuries and was humanely euthanised.
No other horses were involved in the incident.
CRJC Chief Executive Officer Michael Beattie later announced Races 4-9 would be rescheduled to feature as part of an 8 race program hosted by the club on July 5.
A statement released by Racing NSW at 10am on July 4 revealed Kilner had undergone surgery overnight to relieve pressure on her brain, and she was also being assessed for spinal injuries.
An update released at 3:30pm revealed Kilner had been cleared of spinal injuries but had sustained fractures to her ribs along with a fractured clavicle.
She remains in an induced coma and will be monitored for her head injuries.
A spokesperson for Queensland Health informed the Clarence Valley Independent Kilner’s condition had been downgraded from critical to serious, and she remains in the intensive care unit (ICU).
No further updates were available at the time of publication.
A full coverage of the rescheduled race meeting will be available in the July 13 edition of the Clarence Valley Independent.
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This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 6 July 2022.
