A promising young female jockey critically injured in a horror fall is more determined than ever to ride again.
Shanae O’Meara, 20, was left fighting for life with severe head injuries after the disastrous fall during trackwork at Swan Hill in regional Victoria on August 26.
She was airlifted to Royal Melbourne Hospital where she underwent lifesaving surgery and admitted to intensive care, where she was in a coma for five days and still unable to communicate with her family a fortnight after the fall.
She was later transferred to Epworth Hospital’s acquired brain injury rehabilitation centre, where she spent two months recuperating.
Shanae OMeara spent two months in hospital after a horrific fall during trackwork in August
More than four months on, Ms O’Meara has regained her speech and has made pleasing progress in her road to recovery.
She has spoken publicly for the first time about the accident that almost ended her riding career before it began.
‘I don’t remember anything about the fall and for a long time, could only communicate through drawing,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I was back jogging again six weeks after the accident. But I still can’t ride or drive, in case I have a seizure.’
During her two month stay at Epsworth Hospital’s acquired brain injury rehabilitation centre, Ms O’Meara underwent intense rehabilitation, which included physiotherapy and speech therapy twice a day, occupational therapy and daily assessments with a neuropsychologist.
Her spirits were boosted during her hospital stint with a visit from 2015 Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne.
Shanae was rushed to Melbourne for lifesaving surgery and was in a coma for five days
O’Meara (pictured before the accident) has made remarkable progress during her recovery
O’Meara remains in Melbourne to attend rehab three days a week as an out-patient and hopes to permanently return home 340km away in the coming months.
She recently returned to the Austy Coffey Racing stables at the Swan Hill track where she was injured and has worked since she was 17.
‘I returned to work at the track for the first time, which was amazing to see everyone and all the horses,’ Ms O’Meara said.
‘I will have a CT [this month], when doctors will then assess what happens from there but will probably remain in Melbourne until at least mid-February.’
Ms O’Meara’s horror fall occurred just days before two female jockeys were killed.
Melanie Tyndall, 32, was riding at a Darwin race when she reportedly trampled when her horse clipped the heels of another and fell on August 31.
She later died in hospital.
A day earlier, apprentice jockey Mikaela Claridge, 22, died from injuries in a fall when ‘her horse spooked’ during trackwork in Melbourne.
Shanae received an uplifting hospital visit from Melbourne Cup jockey Michelle Payne
Of the 20 jockeys have been killed in Australia in the last 19 years, 17 were during races while the other occurred during trackwork.
South Australian Jockey of the Year Raquel Clark, 26, can’t ride for at least a year after a fall left her with head injuries that caused a temporary loss of memory and partial hearing loss.
Her horse Goodgee bucked as the field was slowing down after crossing the finish line at Morphettville on November 9.
She still suffers from severe headaches, hearing loss and is unable to drive, amid fears she may never ride again.
Joy’s other children have rallied around their sister as she continues treatment in Melbourne
Not even other horror falls that have rocked the horse racing industry have deterred O’Meara from following her dreams.
‘I’m still going to ride again and get my apprenticeship,’ O’Meara vowed.
‘This is the job I’ve wanted since I was 11-years-old.’
It’s a different story for her mum Joy Williams, who recalled the harrowing moment she got the call revealing her daughter had been critically injured at the track.
‘I’m a nurse and was on my way to work when my other daughter rang and I knew there was something wrong straight away,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I still think about that gut-wrenching day seeing her in the emergency department and in a coma.
‘I’m used to seeing trauma at work but when it involves family, it’s a different story.’
Shanae O’Meara (pictured with mum Joy Williams) still isn’t allowed to ride or drive
Shanae spent two months recovering at Epworth Hospital’s acquired brain injury rehabilitation centre in Melbourne, where she continues to attend as an out-patient
Ms Williams is ‘super proud’ of the progress her daughter has made in recovery.
‘Doctors didn’t expect her to recover so quickly she has,’ Ms Williams said.
‘She has improved in leaps and bounds. We’re very lucky to still have her. She’s as passionate and determined as ever, maybe sometimes too determined.
‘Out of the horrific event that happened, we’ve met some amazing people and made lifelong friends.’
She admits she still has fears about her daughter returning to the track in the wake of the recent tragedies.
‘It’s something that I’m always got to worry about but have to learn to accept,’ Ms Williams said.
Shanae (pictured with her mum) on October 28 when she was discharged from hospital
Shanae told Daily Mail Australia she’s more determined than ever to get her apprenticeship