My close mate and trainer of many Dynamic Syndications horses DARREN SMITH was rushed to hospital on Monday morning in a serious but stable condition after a training mishap.
Darren was walking a horse he trains for another client out to the track with its rider aboard because that horse was known to resent going onto the training tracks and would “jack up” each morning.
Unfortunately this morning, that horse had different ideas and without warning, suddenly reared up and struck out, attacking Darren. Witnesses say the horse’s front legs attacked the trainer knocking Darren to the ground and apparently, the horse intentionally struck out several more times connecting with Darren’s torso. With Darren prone on the ground, the horse then galloped off over the trainer. Witnesses reported that Darren was caught up under the horse’s flanks for 3-4 strides before tumbling free.
Darren was rushed to hospital and is now in a stable condition.
Early reports are he has sustained serious injury including breaks to his collarbone, shoulder and several ribs. The extent of these injuries will not be known until later today once the surgeons have had the opportunity to fully assess the damage.
He is lucky to be alive. How the horse missed striking Darren in the head is a miracle. Further updates will be posted as they are made available.
We wish Darren a speedy recovery.
LIGHTNING Strikes Twice
Sadly for Darren, it appears lightening has struck twice. It was 18 months ago that Darren was badly hurt in another training mishap where a horse he was riding that morning threw him and Darren landed heavily on his right heel resulting in a “Hammer Fracture” breakage. This has left him in constant pain and a limp in his right leg. Incredibly that was at the start of his favourite horse ATOMIC FORCE setting out on what was to prove a memorable preparation for the horse and trainer securing 2 x Gr1 and 2 x LR wins along the way.
It was on Saturday evening that Darren drove to Melbourne with Atomic Force to ensure his pride and joy arrived safe and sound at the start of his next preparation. Then this incident has happened to Darren this morning back at Newcastle.
Let’s hope the rest of the story plays out the same way and Atomic Force can repay Darren’s faith and loyalty and help him get on with his healing process.