Burns family grateful after shocking float accident

Harness racing is a sport of highs and lows – and few know that more this week than Victorian horseman Damien Burns and his family.

Just days after celebrating the news that their former stable star Hesitate had secured a coveted slot in the 2025 TAB Eureka, the family is now counting its blessings after a terrifying float accident this morning (July 28).

Damien was enroute from his Ballarat stables to the Maryborough trials with stable runners Maxo Mighty and Elle Perfecto when disaster struck.

The stable posted on social media that Damien was forced to take evasive action after its alleged an oncoming vehicle veered onto the wrong side of the road.

The post said both horses remained calm during the ordeal and were safely removed from the wreckage thanks to a swift and selfless team effort by bystanders and fellow racing participants, including Stephen Byrne, Brody Burns, Matt from McEvoy Mitchell Racing, and Annemarie Kemmink.

The horses were taken to AK & K Equine Services, where they were assessed and found to have only minor cuts and bruises while Damien escaped with scrapes and bruising and is now recovering at home.

The family shared their relief and gratitude in an emotional social media post, writing:

“As much as this is a massive kick in the guts for us, at the end of the day everyone is OK and that is really all that matters. We live to fight another day.”

from Harnesslink Media