The racing community is mourning the tragic loss of Fiona Ralph, a 58-year-old stablehand at Bendigo Racecourse, who died following a freak accident in the tie-up stalls. Ralph suffered a serious head injury after a fall and was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for emergency surgery. Unfortunately, her condition worsened, and she could not be saved, prompting heartfelt condolences from Racing Victoria and the Bendigo Jockey Club.

Ralph had a deep passion for animals, particularly horses, and had been part of the racing industry since 2016. She recently renewed her registration and was working with trainer Toby Lake. Her family finds solace in knowing she spent her last day at the track, watching her favorite racehorses. The racing community, described as a close-knit family, is coming together to support her loved ones during this difficult time.

In a separate incident, the Newcastle racing community is also grieving the death of trainer Ben Smith, who was 42. Smith had faced controversies in his career, including bans for doping violations, but had returned to training before his untimely death. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his passing but have stated there are no suspicious elements involved.