Toowoomba's Kristy Banks barreling towards success in post-racing career

By Jordan Gerrans

It might look a little different, but for former jockey Kristy Banks – it feels exactly the same.

After having her riding career cut short in late 2011 in a tragic fall at Toowoomba’s Clifford Park, Banks still gets the rush, thrill and adrenaline she did when she was in the saddle on race day in her new pursuit – barrel racing.

The 43-year-old was left paralysed from the waist-down from the Toowoomba race fall all those years ago.

Just like she was in the saddle winning black-type races, Banks’ name has been up in lights since she started competing in Queensland Barrel Racing Association events not long after she was released from hospital.

Banks is a multiple-time winner at the highest level of barrel racing in the Sunshine State.

Riding a thoroughbred towards the winning post is not quite the same as being on horseback racing the clock around barrels but for Banks, it is her purpose and passion post-fall.

Banks and Bob – a horse she purchased from a Central Queensland farmer – have become quite the team on the barrel racing circuit.

Banks is strapped into the saddle when she competes. 

“The fact that I can go in and be competitive and be as good as any able-bodied person there, it just blows my mind,” Banks said.

“It does give me the same thrill as riding in races as you are running, you are going as fast as you can.

“For me, the fact that I can still do that, which when I was first injured, I did not think there was that possibility, it is amazing.

“I do love it, it gives me purpose and I am always out there feeding the horses and looking after Bob. I am forever grateful that Bob came into my life.”

Banks' husband Dale Groves says his wife ‘looks at home in the saddle’ whether it be in a race as a jockey or going hell for leather on the barrel circuit.

She tallied more than 450 winners in her career and rode more than 20 winners each season in the decade before she was forced to retire. 

Despite racing taking away her ability to walk, Banks feels nothing but love to the sport and is still heavily involved on a day-to-day basis.

She runs a spelling farm for horses on the outskirts of Toowoomba, owns horses and aids her husband Groves with his team he prepares, as well as being a regular at the track to watch Groves’ stable race.

“You will struggle to find a stronger person than Kristy,” Groves said.

“She does not let anything get in her way, she is very, very tough.

“She is sometimes pig-headed but maybe that comes with it. She is unbelievable.”

Groves trains a team of six horses and has enjoyed consistent results over the last five years or so.

After Banks’ fateful fall on December 31, 2011, she had a crystallising moment around her attitude and demeanour going forward when she was in the spinal unit.

Groves rides all his stable in work himself and will rely on his wife when it comes to placing them on race day.

“We analyse the race after the fact – which is probably most important – and then try and pick another race for the horse coming up,” Groves said.

“She has got that good eye for a horse and she is helping me place my horses better to win more races.

“I need her help more so after the race as I know that they are fit because I am on their backs at track work.”

Reflecting back on her riding career, Banks says she is proud of her involvement with champion galloper Spirit Of Boom – riding him in the early stages of his career – as well as competing in other black-type events.

She is still hands-on with race horses daily through the spelling property the family has on their Darling Downs property.

“I can feed them all and catch the sensible horses and do everything myself,” Banks said.

“I have been pretty fortunate with this four wheel drive wheelchair, which is amazing.

“I probably wouldn’t be able to leave our house or yard if it was not for this. It gives me so much independence.”