‘Like a hurricane’: Hayes family braves front line as fire recovery begins

Staff at one of Victoria’s most respected horse racing stables returned to work on Monday, vowing to rebuild the damaged Lindsay Park facility where seven horses died in a fire in Longwood on Friday.

Legendary trainer David Hayes flew back from Hong Kong when the fire hit the property managed by his sons, Ben, Will and JD. He told SEN Track on Monday that they had lost 90 per cent of their land as attempts were made to evacuate the horses and staff from danger.

“It was very difficult. All the roads were closed. We were out there alone,” Hayes said.

“Fires are terrible, but when there are 90 km/h winds and 45-degree temperatures, it’s like a hurricane without rain and you don’t want to be in one. It was terrible.”

“At times (I thought we were going to lose everything). Several fires came into the protected area.”

A video posted on Lindsay Park Racing’s Instagram account on Monday showed staff returning to their duties amid a haze of smoke from the fires, accompanied by messages of defiance and gratitude.

“We’re getting back together after an incredibly difficult time,” the caption read.

“We are deeply grateful to our staff for their courage, care and unwavering commitment to our horses and to each other. What they demonstrated in the face of a catastrophic fire is the best of our business: teamwork, resilience and heart.”