Trot Insider has learned that top Canadian trainer Benoit Baillargeon is recuperating in hospital after undergoing surgery following a training accident on Tuesday

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The 53-year-old resident of Rockwood, Ont. was struck in the face by a filly’s front hoof after it reared up at his farm on Tuesday afternoon. Baillargeon’s daughter Sara told Trot Insider that he was taken to hospital following the incident, where he received 10 stitches to close a gash in his lip and right cheek and learned that he had fractured his upper jaw and cheekbone requiring surgery.

During surgery on Thursday afternoon, doctors discovered that in addition to the fractures there were multiple bone fragments on both sides of his nose. As a result of his injuries, four titanium plates and 16 screws were placed on his cheekbones and upper jaw and multiple wires were inserted in both his upper and lower jaw. Fortunately, doctors confirmed that he did not suffer any brain or nerve damage.

“He came out of surgery well,” Sara told Trot Insider on Friday evening. “Surgery is successful so far. As of right now dad is in the hospital until Saturday night hooked up to fluids and fluid antibiotics. He is up walking and talking. He had a few visitors today. Hopefully he will be able to come home Saturday night.”

Baillargeon will visit the surgeon next week for examination and removal of his stitches. He is expected to have the wires in his jaw removed within two to four weeks time.

“If the healing process runs smoothly he should be able to jog horses in two weeks,” said Sara, who added that watching pacing mare Racy Gal Hanover’s win in the fifth race at Woodbine Racetrack on Friday night helped put her father in good spirits. “He appreciated all the kind words that everyone sent. I brought him my laptop [Friday night] and we watched the races. He cheered ‘Racy’ across the finish line.”

Baillargeon, who is among the top five money earning trainers in Canada this year, has sent out 1,670 winners from his stable lifetime while banking over $25.6 million in purses.

Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing Baillargeon a full and speedy recovery.