Darleen was involved in a trackwork fall on Sat 29th May at her home track Beaudesert. The horse Darleen was riding broke its shoulder collapsing landing on top of her, breaking her back in the impact. Local trainer Ben Ahrens was riding behind her and was first on the scene and did an amazing job of getting the horse of her and stabilising her. The ambulance arrived approx 20mins later, it was obvious Darleen was seriously injured at the utmost care was taken to get her into the ambulance and then airlifted to P.A Hospital spinal unit.
A 6 hour operation repaired the damage with plates and screws etc, and Darleen was in an induced coma for the next few days post operation.
Darleen is now fully conscious and aware of people around her, although still very groggy etc from the pain medication etc. She had a bleed on the brain, but doctors are very confident that issue is under control and will have no long term concerns. Darlene as movement in her upper body but unfortunately has no movement or feeling in her lower body.
Darleen will stay in hospital for the next 3-6 months, with the prognosis of any improvement in the lower body highly unlikely.
Darleen now 43, has been in the racing industry all her life, learnt to ride at 3yo, was riding trackwork at 10, and was eventually took up training approx 15yrs ago. She had stints riding work in Victoria (where she worked for Lee Hope) and overseas in Ireland where she worked for Aidan O’brien for 12 months riding some of the best horses in the world, and then with Liam Birchley at Eagle Farm. Daleen then took her trainers licence firstly in Victoria before a stint at Deagon and then to Beaudesert where she has called home for the last 15yrs.
Darleen has a young son (9yo) Liam, and they live on the family property at Kerry near Beaudesert with Darleen’s parents Doug & Carol.
As Darleen was riding her own horse, effectively working for herself, she has no claim to workcover, and unfortunately had no other personal insurance (it’s very difficult to get and expensive for track-riders). The road ahead for Darleen is going to a be a mighty struggle, physically emotionally and financially.
The Australian Trainers Association through our National Trainers Trust will kick off the fundraiser for Darleen with a deposit of $10,000. We are calling on the wonderful support network that is the racing industry to get behind this initiative and offer the much-needed support to Darleen and her son Liam.
The fundraising will continue through donations to the above account with all moneys raised going direct to Darleen, some of the funds immediately and then the remainder at the major fundraising event which will be part of the 2021 TAB Wayne Wilson Medal, trainer’s awards night held in October this year.
Please share this email with your networks etc.
For any further information, to donate goods or services to auction or raffle, please contact me.
Thanks Cameron Partington
Donations : Licensee Assistance Association Inc
BSB 484-799 Acc 0843 33357
(please put your name and phone number in the reference details)
