Hayes: 90% of land is gone, seven horses dead after inferno

David Hayes flew from Hong Kong to Australia to help his sons battle the raging bushfires at the family’s Lindsay Park property where tragically seven horses died and one remains in a critical condition.

The property, which is close to Euroa, was devastated by the fires, with Hayes confirming to SENTrack that they have lost 90 per cent of their land.

Lifting the lid on how terrifying the last few days have been, Hayes gave a first hand account of what he saw while trying to save horses and eliminate the threat.

"We lost probably 90 per cent of our land," he told Gareth Hall. "Ben’s house and a barn but the majority of the infrastructure was inside the protected zone which was the irrigated paddocks.

"It protected the main house and the main buildings and stables. The tracks didn’t burn and they acted as fire breaks.

"I must say, jumping on the plane, I was shattered. We hadn’t slept for two-and-a-half days fighting spot fires. The place had to be evacuated of staff and horses but it got very difficult. All the roads got closed. We were there on our own.

"Fires are horrific but when 90km winds come in at 45 degrees, it’s like a hurricane without rain and you don’t want to be in them. It was horrible.

"At times (I thought we would lose it all). A few spot fires got into the protected area. In the end, the embers ignite somewhere else and somewhere else and you have to buckle down."

Seven horses did not survive the inferno, a sad fact Hayes said was actually a miraculously low number considering the threat.

"The Friday night, when the fire had passed (was the worst) but the spotfires were everywhere,' he continued.

"Horses were going all directions in the dark, I was feeling the odd horse that was not getting up. It was very sad.

"Out of 327 on the property we lost 7. Two retirees and five functioning racehorses. The ones that had survived but couldn’t make it were euthanised on Saturday morning.

"I think it was (a miracle). Horses get in trouble easily when everything is perfect. They have survival skills that people underrate. They were caught between the fence and the fire.

"We would catch a horse with me driving behind giving them light. We then got them to safe zones. One horse with a collar and then the others would follow. I haven’t seen horses do that before.

"This fire was 10 times worse and 10 times bigger than the last one."

On Sunday night, the Lindsay park team gave the following update: “Now that all horses on the property have been accounted for and assessed, Lindsay Park can confirm that seven horses have tragically been lost from injuries sustained in the fire,' the family said in a statement.

“One additional horse remains in a critical condition and is receiving intensive veterinary care.

“All owners directly affected have been notified.

“Every possible measure was taken to protect all the horses and the property under extremely difficult and rapidly changing conditions.

“The priority throughout the event remained the safety of people and horses.

“We extend our sincere sympathies to the owners who have suffered losses, and our thoughts are with the broader community and all those affected by the fires.

“The Lindsay Park team who work tirelessly to care for these horses everyday after devastated by the events, and we will be ensuring they are supported.”

In a separate statement, Racing Victoria said: “Our thoughts are with the owners, the Hayes family, the Lindsay Park team, and all those affected by this tragic event,” RV said.

“We recognise the profound emotional toll such circumstances place on the people who look after these horses every day and have a deep involvement with them.

“Racing Victoria extends its sincere sympathies to everyone impacted and acknowledges the efforts of emergency services and those working tirelessly in exceptionally difficult conditions to protect lives and property.

“We remain in contact with Lindsay Park and will continue to offer our support during this challenging time.”