Carly Frater, 28, was left unconscious with a broken collar bone when she was unshipped in a three-horse incident at the New South Wales track of Wagga Wagga in August.

The Borders horsewoman, who took up the position of apprentice jockey with the powerful Joseph and Jones stable in Canberra in February, spent two nights in hospital and vowed to return to the saddle.

Having waited a year because of visa issues to take up her retainer, Carly, the daughter of John and Pauline Frater of Priors Meadow, Jedburgh, had wasted no time in making her mark, riding a winner with her first ride.

Indeed, prior to her accident, out of 47 rides, she had recorded four wins, nine seconds and eight thirds, giving her an impressive place rate of 40%.

After the accident, joint stable owner Barbara Joseph said of Carly: “The whole field went over here, so she’s a very lucky girl. She wanted to be back racing in two weeks, but I told here there no way a collarbone can be fixed by then.

“She’s going great; she’s ridden four winners and outrode her 4kg claiming allowance already. She’s strong, dedicated and just wants to ride winners.” In the event, after intensive physiotherapy and gym training, Carly made her race return at the end of October and last week resumed winning ways by landing a $15,000 race for her stable.

But her bravery in coming back after such a nasty incident has been cast into sharp focus by the death of two lady riders – one in Queensland and one in in South Australia -within a week of each other.

“It was a bad week for the whole racing community – really sad,” said Carly. “You’re doing something that you love and don’t expect to go out there and not come back.

“Everyone’s always aware of how dangerous this sport can be, but you’ve still got to get out there and do it.”