Australian horse trainer Glen Kent has broken down in tears dedicating a race win to hospitalised apprentice jockey Chelsey Reynolds, who remains in a fight for life at Flinders Medical Centre after a shocking fall last month.
Reynolds was completing trackwork at Kent’s private property on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia when she fell off her horse at about 9am on Tuesday, February 13.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Horse trainer breaks down over jockey’s ongoing hospital battle.
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The 28-year-old has since opened her eyes in hospital, Racing SA confirmed last week, but is still in a critical condition.
Rochelle Milnes rode Super Alana — a horse Reynolds would normally ride — to victory at Balaklava on Wednesday, leaving co-trainer Kent deeply emotional about his stricken colleague.
“It’s pretty tough… but good to get the win for Chelsey,” he told Racing.com.
“Rochelle did a good job. Good kid, she did it easy. (Super Alana is) not the easiest horse … she’s got city ability in the right races but she just does a lot wrong.
“The girls do a really good job with her out the back because she’s one that likes to kick a bit at the wall, but we just keep her relaxed.
“Amabel like myself is a bit emotional, she’s best friends with Chelsey and they’re pretty tight — we’re getting through it.”
On behalf of her family, Racing SA released a positive update on Reynolds’ health last Thursday that stressed she still had a long way to go.
“Chelsey remains in intensive care at the Flinders Medical Centre where she is being treated for a serious head injury,” the statement reads.
“Her sedation levels are being reduced and she is opening her eyes but not yet responding.
“Chelsey’s family have told us that her recovery is going to be long and slow, but that she will continue to have all the care and love she needs.
“They have also asked us again to thank the community for all their messages of support and that their privacy continues to be respected during this tough time.”
Only two weeks prior to the injury, Reynolds had won a prestigious award for apprentice jockeys.
The New Zealander won her first race in Australia last year and has gone on to claim seven winners from 52 races overall.
“I was loving every moment, every step. A few people were like maybe you should give it a crack. So I did!” she said at the time of her maiden victory.
“Still in shock that it all happened, to be honest. It was just amazing. Unbelievable, really.”
The incident came only two weeks after a race fall at Strathalbyn involving apprentice jockey Kelsey Hannan.
Hannan was flown to hospital in an induced coma amid concerns over a serious neck injury but later cleared.
