Chelsey Reynolds Recovery Update: Weeks After Horrific Fall, SA Athlete ‘Opening Her Eyes’

The 12th of February proved to offer a life-changing morning for South Australia’s champion jockey, Chelsey Reynolds. The 28-year-old, while on a morning horse work run, succumbed to traumatic injuries so intrinsic to the horse racing industry. Now over two weeks into the accident, the 2023 Racing South Australia’s best first-year apprentice’s family has gathered strength to offer an update.

On that morning, Chelsey Reynolds was airlifted from a training facility in Finniss to Flinders Medical Centre. The jockey who was revealed to be in an induced coma in early reports has finally made progress suggests the family’s recent statement.

Chelsey Reynolds sees hope

“We are providing support to Chelsey’s family and will provide an update on her condition as soon as we are able,” the Australian Jockey Association had said after the accident. Abiding by, Racing SA took to Twitter 2 weeks later to offer the run-through of the jockey situation. “Chelsey remains in intensive care at the Flinders Medical Centre where she is being treated for a serious head injury,” the post read. Further stating her situation with reduced sedation level, the post revealed Chelsey Reynolds was “opening her eyes but not yet responding.” 

While the progress is little and the battle is tough, Chelsey Reynolds is set to receive all the love as the family states. For now, the family appreciates all the messages of love and support. However, it has requested privacy to deal with the traumatic situation that lay before.

2024 was just the beginning of her horse racing career for Chelsey, who lent her heart to the horses and the sport. However, as fate would have it, the jockey’s now-subconscious battles only await to extend beyond on a rather grueling note. Thus, distancing Reynolds from her late-found job for a little while more.

A wait extended for the budding jockey

Chelsey Reynolds has revealed to have had a pony since she was eight. The 28-year-old was initially involved in trail riding, work on the horse tram, and anything along the lines but horse racing. However, when one of her jobs closed down, Reynolds arrived in Finniss as a substitute only to unknowingly mark the beginning of her horse racing journey. “And Glen [owner of the stable] found out I could ride and it escalated from there,” Reynolds told Racing SA.

Following along, Chelsey Reynolds blazed through the trackwork riding skills course and Apprentice Academy. Before she knew it, the 28-year-old was snatching her first win at Balaklava in July 2023 and walking up a stage months later to grab her recognition trophy. Unfortunately, for now, uncertainty plagues the once glistening path for the racing talent.

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