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Karen and Dennis O’leary have been part of South Australia’s horse community for over 50 years. In this time Dennis has been a successful Racehorse Trainer, Rider, Horse Breaker, Farrier, Dentist and Saddler. The O’Leary family owned a very successful riding school and trail riding business in which they devoted their lives to caring for their horses and even prioritising them over their own health in honour of others enjoyment. Their business even saw the likes of some celebrities who enjoyed riding their horses on their trails. However In December 2021 their pleasure riding business was forced to shut down due to covid and racehorse training became their only source of income. Unfortunately soon after the stresses and demands of the racing industry took over and Dennis was forced to live 70km away from the home property to care for his racehorses with insufficient funds. The stress then resulted in the 70 year old respected trainer suffering a sequence of strokes which was followed by Alzheimers dementia. During this time his wife Karen also suffered an injury requiring surgery. Despite all set backs they had to keep themselves and their horses going to provide themselves with an income and continue their love for the horse. In June 2022 the harsh winters in South Australia hit and despite sufficient grazing 3 of their old racehorses which were not suitable to re-home conditions fell away. The O’Leary family did not own these horses but had offered them a place for retirement on their property for 16, 13 and 6 years without the owners funds and others concern.

Despite O’Leary racing having donated over $5000 in prize money to equine welfare since the off the track program first begun the 13, 16 and 18year old horses were not eligible to receive any funding and instead had to be humanly euthanised after a complaint was made to authorities of the horses condition being of concern through the winter. After the chain of events and despite over 50 years of dedication to SA’s racing industry and respected reputation for their equine husbandry and horsemanship and disregarding the sufficient health of the other 20 or so horses in Dennis and Karens care they received a disqualification from training and having any involvement in the industry for 18months for Dennis and 2 years for Karen which made them instantly deprived of their only source of income.

Those who know the O’leary family would know that they would always offer a hand to help in anyway that they could. They are deeply embarrassed and heartbroken as they do not fulfil the image that the media tries to perceive. Times are already tough and now with no income and forced to give up their love for horses I can only hope that the equine community can help them through this hard time until they can find their feet.