Latest News

Apprentice jockey Leah Kilner was dislodged from her mount (Stella's Turn) approximately 70m prior to the winning post in Race 3 at Grafton on Sunday, 3rd July 2022. Leah was airlifted to Princess Alexandria Hospital in Brisbane where she was in an induced coma and was being treated for a possible brain injury.

[Update on Wednesday 31st August]: Leah was discharged from Princess Alexandra Hospital on Monday (29th August). She will enjoy a week's rest before receiving ongoing physiotherapy treatment from home. Leah is walking a bit more but still has only 25% vision out of her left eye due to nerve damage which will require further recovery time.
*At left is an image shared by Leah after leaving hospital after eight weeks at Princess Alexandra.

[Update on Tuesday 9th August]: Leah is continuing with rehab treatment and is now allowed to leave hospital for one day each weekend. She enjoyed a day at the races in Brisbane last Saturday with friends and family which has lifted her spirits. Leah is expected to remain in hospital for a further five to six weeks after which she will be assessed for possible at-home treatment.

[Update on Tuesday 2nd August]: Leah continues to make progress in rehabilitation and enjoyed leaving hospital yesterday for the first time since her fall to visit Rob Heathcote's stables. Leah is expected to remain in the hospital's rehabilitation ward for the next few weeks.

[Update on Monday 25th July]: Leah was moved to the rehab ward over the weekend and she is walking more with assistance.

[Update on Thursday 21st July]: Leah continues to make steady progress and is getting lots of sleep. She is leaving her hospital room more often and is enjoying wheelchair rides around the hospital. Doctors are hopeful she can move to the rehabilitation ward when she is well enough next week.

[Update on Monday 18th July]: Leah underwent further scans yesterday and her swelling is slowly improving. She can walk short distances with assistance; if all continues going well, Leah is expected to be moved to the rehabilitation ward at the end of the week.

[Update on Friday 15th July]: Leah is communicating better with her family and is more alert.

[Update on Tuesday 12th July]: Leah’s condition is improving in the High Dependency Ward. She was able to stand for the first time today and is also now able to drink on her own and continues to communicate with family.

[Update at 5pm on Sunday 10th July]: Leah has been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit and has also had her tube removed. She is waking for longer periods and talking to family, making positive progress.

[Update on Sunday 10th July]: Leah is gradually being brought out of sedation. Doctors are assessing and managing her shoulder discomfort.

[Update at 9am on Friday 8th July]: Leah has been showing some promising signs over the last 24 hours with the hospital gradually bringing her out of sedation.

[Update at 9:10am on Wednesday 6th July]: Leah's father Greg reports that she has had a good night’s rest. She remains in ICU and will continue to be monitored today.

[Update at 9:45am on Tuesday 5th July]: Leah remains in a stable condition in ICU at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. She briefly came out of her coma overnight and squeezed her mother's hand. The hospital may bring her out of sedation gradually over the next 48 hours.

[Update at 3:30pm on Monday 4th July]: Leah has been cleared of spinal injuries but has sustained fractured ribs and a fractured clavicle. She remains in an induced coma and will be monitored for her head injuries.

[Update at 10am on Monday 4th July]: There was little change overnight and Leah remains in a critical condition at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Leah underwent surgery last night to relieve pressure on her brain and is also being assessed for spinal injuries.