A champion jockey narrowly escaped death when her pelvis was crushed by a falling horse. Sonja Logan, in 2023, was assaulted by a group of men attempting to steal her car. The attackers threw a brick through her car window and hit her in the face with a rock, resulting in a broken nose, a cut lip, and three broken front teeth just weeks before her wedding.
Despite the assailants fleeing when the alarm was sounded, they were never apprehended. Logan described the excruciating pain of being trapped under a half-ton racehorse as the most agonizing experience of her life. She was riding Jumping Power Two, trained by her husband Tommy, who had previously won four races under her guidance, when the horse became spooked.
As recounted to Mirror Racing, Logan explained that the horse reared up in the starting gates, causing her to fall to the ground with the horse landing on top of her, crushing her pelvis. After being drugged for pain management and fitted with a pelvic brace, she was transported to Darwin Royal Hospital before being flown to Adelaide Royal Hospital for specialized treatment due to the severity of her injuries.
Following surgery to repair her crushed pelvis with screws and a plate, Logan reflected on how lucky she was that the horse landed on her pelvis rather than her ribs, which could have been fatal. Her recovery now involves using a walking frame as she heals at home.
Looking ahead, Logan anticipates a six to eight-month recovery period, contingent on healing progress and rehabilitation. She aims to return to riding once her pain levels allow, acknowledging the challenges that may come with resuming her career in horse racing.
Despite enduring past trauma, including the carjacking incident, Logan made a remarkable comeback in horse racing, winning accolades in Alice Springs and the Northern Territories. However, behind the scenes, she faced personal struggles, battling depression and alcohol abuse.
To overcome these challenges, Logan turned to competitive bodybuilding to regain mental strength and defeat anxiety, supported by a network of caring individuals, including her devoted husband, Tommy. She emphasized that although the recent horse incident brought immense pain, it was different from her previous assault experiences, as the horse was not intentionally causing harm.
Expressing gratitude for the unwavering support she has received, Logan highlighted the importance of having a strong support system during difficult times, especially acknowledging her husband’s pivotal role in her recovery journey.