Trainer Leanne Hartley dies after being kicked by horse in Queensland
Police say the 50-year-old's death in Beaudesert will be treated as accidental as racing community mourns
Leanne Hartley, a respected Queensland racehorse trainer, has died after being kicked by a horse in a freak accident at a property in Beaudesert, south of Brisbane. Emergency services attended the scene around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, and Hartley, 50, was declared dead at the location in the Scenic Rim Region.
Queensland Police have advised that Hartley’s death will be deemed accidental. Officers are preparing a report for the coroner and are assisting Workplace Health and Safety Queensland with an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Hartley ran a boutique stable and had produced winners in Queensland, including Crackenthorpe, a two-time winner on the Sunshine Coast. Her passing prompted immediate expressions of condolence from across the Australian racing industry.
Racing Queensland Acting CEO Lachlan Murray said the organisation offered its "sincerest condolences to Hartley's family and friends" and added, "We expect every participant to be able to come home safe and sound. It is heartbreaking that we have lost one of our own." The Australian Trainers' Association said it was "deeply saddened" and extended "sincere condolences" to Hartley’s family, friends and those close to her.
Police confirmed initial reports that Hartley sustained life-threatening injuries after being struck by the horse. No further details about the sequence of events have been released while investigators and workplace safety officials continue their inquiries. Authorities have not suggested any criminality and the coroner’s report will determine the official circumstances of death.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland will be involved in the investigation as standard when a workplace incident results in a fatality. The agency routinely examines factors such as environment, equipment, training and procedures to determine whether any regulatory breaches occurred and whether recommendations or enforcement actions are warranted.
Hartley’s death is the latest fatality linked to an on-farm or equine-related incident in Australia, highlighting the risks faced by people working with large animals. The racing community has a history of support networks and safety programs aimed at reducing such incidents; officials said those resources will be offered to those affected while inquiries proceed.
Further details will be provided by Queensland Police and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland as their investigations progress and the coroner’s review is completed.