scarred for life byapie

Mum Daniella’s day at the races took a horrifying turn

Crossing my fingers I cheered as the horse crossed the finishing line. As the sun shone down, I was having the best day at the races. I'd never been a gambler but was thrilled to have a belated birthday celebration with my mum, Julie, then 55, my sister Gemma, 31, cousin Emma, 33, and my best friend Sabrina, also 33. 'Would you like a photo for best dressed?' a photographer said.

Can this day get any better? I smiled, adjusting my fascinator as the photographer snapped away.

A new mum of eight-week-old Safiya, it was just so nice to be out. And to be having a break from my studies too, as I was studying crime scene science.

Safiya, along with my daughters, Aaliya, then nine, and Alyssia and Mya, five, were with their dad, my ex-partner, Ish, 29. As I sipped my cider, I was delighted to be out at Ladies Day having fun.

But late in the afternoon, the heavens opened and rain poured down. Crowds of people jostled into our seating area, many the worse for wear after a day of drinking. As we waited for my brother, Chad, then 23, to collect us, I bought a chicken and mushroom pie and hot chips. ‘There’s some space,’ I said, eyeing up a spot by the toilets. As I gingerly peeled off the top of the piping hot pie, steam poured out.