At least one thoroughbred property is assessing the damage after a raging bushfire, that could threaten the Lindsay Park base, burns out of control in central Victoria.
Properties such as the Hayes family‘s Lindsay Park and Michael Christian’s breeding operation Longwood Thoroughbred Farm as well as spelling and pre-training farm Leneva Park are located in the vicinity of a bushfire burning near Longwood.
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On Thursday afternoon, the north-easterly wind was pushing the blaze away from the properties towards Seymour but the wind shifted late in the day, propelling the fire in a south-easterly direction.
The Victorian Emergency website noted a small bushfire had been reported at Creighton’s Creek, about 2km south of Lindsay Park, early on Thursday evening.
Lindsay Park co-trainers Will Hayes, Ben Hayes and JD Hayes. Picture: Scott Barbour / Racing Photos
Leneva Park’s general manager Mick Sharkie said the fire had struck the property, which is located on the Longwood-Ruffy Road in Longwood East.
Fortunately, Sharkie said there “was not a scratch on the horses” but Leneva Park staff were shaken by the blaze.
NOTICE: If trainers have a truck available to assist in relocating horses from affected bushfire areas if required they are asked to email equinewelfare@racingvictoria.net.au
Please include location, horse capacity, truck availability & your phone number when emailing.…
— RVStewards (@RVStewards) January 8, 2026
Racing Victoria and other participants have offered their assistance to any horse owners needing to transport their horses out of the affected areas or to provide housing during the fire crisis.
Sharkie said Leneva Park had enacted its fire plan while all operations in the area were constantly in contact to monitor the shifting situation.
“We spent a lot of time last year, going into the summer, on a really extensive fire plan and a phone network for all of the horse properties around us.
“There’s quite a number of horse properties around us and we’re all on this phone network, making sure everyone is all right.
“We’ve had to take a few horses from locals that have already had to evacuate.”
🆘‼️Brisbourne Racing have stables, yards and Paddocks available at the farm for any stock fleeing the fires near Euroa.
Please call 0404436172 or just rock up and we will provide emergency housing and or care needed to the best of our ability‼️🆘
— BenBrisbourneRacing (@BenBrisbourne) January 8, 2026
Shocking fire conditions on Friday could make the situation much worse and drive the fire towards Lindsay Park and further south towards picnic racing venues such as Merton, Alexandra and Yea.
The Bureau Of Meteorology rated Friday as a day of catastrophic fire danger in the north of Victoria with strong north-westerly winds up to 90kmh to push embers ahead of the flames, creating the possibility of new fire outbreaks.
Dry lightning strikes are also predicted, which would stretch Country Fire Authority crews to the limit with little to no chance of controlling the blazes.
“It’s just up to Mother Nature now,” Sharkie said.