Promising young jockey Chelsey Reynolds was airlifted to the hospital after a harrowing fall during track work on Tuesday, sustaining head injuries
Reynolds, a 21-year-old apprentice jockey, is in critical condition following the incident, understood to have suffered serious head injuries during Tuesday morning’s track work.
Who is apprentice jockey Chelsey Reynolds airlifted to hospital after suffering head injury during accident
Some concerning news off the top with South Australian apprentice Chelsey Reynolds airlifted to hospital after an incident at trackwork on Tuesday morning.
Our thoughts are with Chelsey & her family ❤️ #AfterTheLast pic.twitter.com/hb4raBnLyU
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 13, 2024
She is currently receiving treatment at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide, South Australia. Racing South Australia issued a statement confirming the incident, stating, “Racing SA can confirm an incident at trackwork this morning on the Fleurieu Peninsula involving apprentice jockey Chelsey Reynolds.”
The statement additionally mentioned, “Chelsey is currently receiving treatment at the Flinders Medical Centre. We are extending our support to Chelsey’s family and will offer an update on her condition at the earliest opportunity.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with SA apprentice Chelsey Reynolds after her accident this morning. https://t.co/LyXwynyOAr
— Aust. Jockeys Assoc. (@JockeysAssoc) February 13, 2024
The Australian Jockeys’ Association conveyed their support on social media, expressing, “Our thoughts and prayers are with SA apprentice Chelsey Reynolds following her accident this morning.”
Chelsey Reynolds’ Career
21 year old Reynolds, who raced as recently as last Friday, boasts seven wins from 52 rides. Her career began with a victory in her debut race, guiding The Great Baby to triumph at Balaklava on July 30 last year.
She started her journey at Finniss Lodge after working on the horse tram between Victor Harbor and Granite Island, progressing through the Racing SA trackwork skills course before joining the SA Apprentice Academy in December 2022.
In August of last year, Reynolds expressed her enthusiasm for riding while speaking to the media. She reminisced, “I’ve owned my first pony since I was eight years old, enjoying regular trail rides and such. However, when my previous job ended, I stumbled upon Finniss to temporarily fill the gap, although it wasn’t my intended destination. Glen discovered my riding ability, and things took off from there.”
Reynolds emphasized her natural affinity with animals, particularly horses, expressing, “I’ve always been good with animals I think, horses and any others I feel like I always get a good feel for them.”
In a similar incident last month, fellow apprentice jockey Kelsey Hannah was airlifted to hospital after a frightening fall at Strathalbyn Racecourse in the south-east of Adelaide.
Hannah, who lost consciousness after the incident, was placed in an induced coma and is currently recovering from a neck vertebrae fracture.
ALSO READ: Is Enzo Fernandez racist and did he really deny giving a black boy his jersey as video goes viral