LAURA LAFFERTY
Laura aboard Sigh cruising to victory down the Flemington straight in May 2023. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)
I n the world of horse racing, resilience is key. Few exemplify this more than Victorian jockey Laura Lafferty, who is continuing to defy the odds after an accident that left her with life-threatening injuries. But in true Lafferty style, she’s not just surviving; she’s fighting back with determination, focus, and a love for racing that keeps her moving forward. Laura Lafferty’s career was on an upward trajectory before her fall in October 2024. In April 2021, she achieved a milestone, securing her first city win aboard Intrepidacious at Caulfield. After a string of near-misses, her breakthrough was the result of sheer persistence. “I was always positive and after every near- miss, I’d go home and think, ‘What can I do next time to get better?’” she said. Her belief in herself and her refusal to be discouraged by setbacks were qualities that would serve her well on that fateful day in Ballarat in October. Lafferty was sent tumbling from the lead in a 1400m race aboard The Praised One, in a an accident that could have ended her career. She suffered two collapsed lungs, severe internal injuries, a broken foot, and multiple fractures. Despite the gravity of the accident, Lafferty is deeply thankful for the quick response of the paramedics who saved her life. But she has never been one to back down. “It’s still pretty new, pretty raw,” she admitted soon after the fall. “My biggest challenge is definitely mentally coming to terms with not being able to even run, let alone work,” she shared. But she remains determined, finding solace in her routine. “I’m putting steps in place to be able to get through the next 12 months, just doing a course at RMIT, setting those goals, booking physio every week – it gets me through every week.” Before her injury, Lafferty had already built a foundation of perseverance. Growing up in Warrnambool, horses were in her blood. Her father, Peter, and grandfather, Kevin, were respected trainers, and from a young age, Lafferty was immersed in the equine world. Her journey began with ponies and showjumping, where she honed her competitive spirit. But it was the transition to racing that truly ignited her passion.
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