‘I made it out alive’: Female jockey’s heartbreaking update nearly two years after falling from her horse as she admits ‘my eyesight will not come back’

Leah Kilner has retired from horse racing almost two years after the horrific fall that almost killed her.

The 26-year-old was thrown from her filly, Stella Turn, as the field galloped down the home straight during the third race of the day at Grafton in New South Wales in July 2022.

She was catapulted onto the grass and trampled by the horses, while Stella Turn stumbled on the home straight.

During her recovery last year, Kilner admitted there were times when she wished she hadn’t survived and still couldn’t remember the incident.

But in an Instagram post on Thursday, Kilner was in a more positive mood overall, expressing gratitude for the career she enjoyed before the accident as she publicly announced her retirement.

“The end of an era…” she began.

“I may not have ended it on my terms, but I got out alive.

‘After 21 months, countless appointments with specialists, ongoing rehabilitation, tests and advice. It’s time to hang up the boots. Regardless of time and patience, my vision will not return, the strength and feeling in my left side will not return 100% and honestly, if I hit my head again, I will not walk out of the hospital.

‘I think I knew it was coming and I never wanted to accept it, but when I saw my saddles walking out the door it really hit me hard and started… the career I loved is officially over .

‘There have undoubtedly been highs and lows, but I have loved every moment and wouldn’t change it for the world.’

Considered one of the country’s top up-and-coming jockeys, Kilner rode more than 200 winners during her short career.

She narrowly missed the record 54 wins in the 2021-2022 racing season after crossing the line first 46 times.