With the support of her employer and Castle, Emily has returned to her career as a jockey after recovering from an accident and the removal of a tumour
For Emily, horses have always been more than a job. They are her passion, her purpose and a huge part of who she is. So, when a trackwork accident led to the discovery of a tumour in her spinal cord, she faced one of the toughest challenges of her life - rebuilding her health and finding a way back to the career she loves.
With the support of her employer, Kris Lees Racing, and her Inclusive Employment Australia provider, Castle Personnel, Emily has done just that. Today, she is back riding trackwork, working with horses and competing as a jockey.
Emily was already working with Kris Lees racing when a horse flipped and landed on top of her during trackwork. While doctors were checking for injuries, scans revealed a Grade 2 ependymoma growing inside her spinal cord.
Following surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, Emily initially lost all sensation from her chest down. Although she has since regained sensation, her recovery was long and challenging.
"I wanted to get back into a physically demanding career as a jockey, but I needed to rebuild my strength, confidence and fitness gradually while also learning what my body could manage," she says.
When she connected with Castle, her goal was to return safely and sustainably to work in the racing industry. And although she remained employed with Kris Lees throughout her treatment and recovery, she needed additional help to navigate the complex journey back.
Castle Employment Case Officer, Caleb Sims provided practical assistance to help remove barriers to work, including funding for essential riding lights used during pre-dawn trackwork.
"The practical support made a real difference because it meant I could focus on rebuilding my strength, confidence and riding ability without having to worry as much about the financial cost of the equipment I needed to safely return to work," Emily says.
Just as importantly, Emily appreciated having someone in her corner who understood what she was working towards.
"Kris and the team were very supportive of my recovery, and my return to work was gradual rather than back to my normal workload" Emily says.
Emily and Castle Employment Case Officer, Caleb at Kris Lees Racing
Over time, Emily increased her workload from a handful of rides each morning to between 10 and 20 horses, before progressing through jump-outs, trials and eventually back to race riding.
"Being back on the track and doing what I love after everything I have been through is a really special feeling and showed me how far I've come," Emily says.
A typical day now starts around 3:30am, riding multiple horses before taking stable responsibilities. It's demanding work that requires skills, adaptability and a deep understanding of each horse, but it's exactly where Emily wants to be. The journey has strengthened her confidence and reinforced the importance of patience during recovery.
"I've gained a lot of confidence in my riding and in understanding what my body is capable of. I've learned that recovery doesn't always happen as quickly as you want it to, and that it's important to listen to my body."
One of her proudest moments came when she returned to Young and rode racing horse, Roullottie to victory in the Delta Impact Burrangong Young Picnic Cup. Sharing that achievement with the family, friends and community who had supported her throughout her recovery made the win even more meaningful.
Through this experience, Emily discovered that with determination combined with the right support and an employer willing to back her every step of the way, she could return to the career she loves.
"The thing I love most about my job is the horses. They are such beautiful athletes and amazing animals, and being around them genuinely makes me the happiest," she says.
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