Racehorse trainer Renee Forrest opens up on Ellenbrook car crash that left her hanging upside down

WA racehorse trainer Renee Forrest has detailed her horror brush with death when she was left hanging upside down after a serious car crash that also left two horses on their sides. The former jockey was towing two young horses when a red MG collided with her grey Ford Ranger on The Promenade in Ellenbrook about 9.15am on Tuesday. A 36-year-old male passenger of the MG was rushed to hospital and, as of Friday, was in a critical condition and being treated in the intensive Care Unit at Royal Perth Hospital. It’s understood the driver of the MG sustained seatbelt injuries. Forrest, who rode 219 winners before she stopped riding in 2023 to become a trainer in 2025, and the horses miraculously avoided serious injury. The horse float was tipped on its side. “I am lucky to be alive because the car hit in the centre of my vehicle’s door,” Forrest said. “I’m battered, bruised and in shock. “It was an horrific accident and terribly traumatising. “I’ll never forget the terror of being trapped and hanging in my vehicle for 15 minutes. “I could see a victim of the accident, laying on a footpath, bleeding badly. “The horses, both unnamed yearling colts, are fine and resting.” Forrest was full of praise for those who rushed to help. “All thanks to the amazing first responders who were quickly on the scene, caring for me and the horses,” the 33-year-old said. “The ambulance crew were remarkable when checking and treating me. And other people who came to the scene were incredible when rescuing the horses. “Family and friends have since given me great support.” One colt escaped from the tipped float and was captured at a nearby shopping centre. The other youngster, trapped in the float, was removed after sedation. “The colts were bought at Perth’s yearling sale in February,” Forrest said. “They have just been broken-in and I was taking them to a property for spelling when the accident happened. “Both will have a good rest before returning to my stable.” Forrest, who rode country cups winners as a jockey, trained Nobelity to win two Ascot races at consecutive starts in 2025. A GoFundMe page organised by Dionne Belton had raised nearly $19,000 for Forrest as of Friday. Ms Belton wrote that the horses were Forrest’s life, adding that she is “always the first to offer help, the first to notice when someone’s struggling and the first to say, ‘I’ve got you’. “Right now, she’s facing something no horse person wants to face alone. “No transport — without a car or float, she can’t move her horses, to get to work, get to vet appointments, or even get herself to follow-up medical care. “No income — she’ll be out of work for an unknown period and with no income coming in, the bills don’t stop. “Horses still need care — while she recovers she’ll need to arrange and pay for care for her other horses at home. Feed, farrier, vet and agistment costs don’t pause.“ Major crash unit officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash. As of Friday, no charges had been laid. Anyone with information on the crash or who saw are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online here. Dash-cam or mobile phone vision relating to this crash can be uploaded directly to investigators via this link.