Add Category
Updated
Prominent horse trainer Darren Weir is facing a huge hit to his business as owners pull dozens of racehorses from his stables while he faces the threat of a four-year ban from racing.
Key points:
- Weir will not contest the charges laid against him by Racing Victoria
- He has been banned from racing any horses as a trainer or owner until his sentencing
- His Warrnambool foreman Jarrod McLean will fight his charge
Weir opted not to fight charges of possessing three outlawed electric-shock devices which can be used to mentally condition horses to run faster in races.
The charges were laid by Racing Victoria following joint raids with Victoria Police at several properties last week, including Weir's stables near Ballarat and Warrnambool.
Victoria Police seized four electric-shock devices, known as "jiggers", during the raids as they run an active investigation into allegations relating to the corruption of betting results and animal cruelty.
Officers also located an unregistered firearm and a small amount of cocaine while searching the properties.
Police have not yet laid any charges as part of that investigation.
Racing Victoria charged Weir with possession of the banned devices, along with engaging in conduct prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing.
Stewards have said they will push for the 2015 Melbourne Cup winner to face a four-year suspension from the sport due to the seriousness of the charges.
At a hearing with Racing Victoria on Monday afternoon, Weir confirmed he would not be contesting the charges against him when he faces the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board.
The board is due to hand down the penalty against Weir at a disciplinary hearing tomorrow at 8:30am.
Racing Victoria CEO Giles Thompson said further penalties may be sought against Weir depending on the outcome of ongoing investigations.
"Police will continue their investigations but our stewards will as well. Whatever action needs to be taken from that evidence, they will take," he said.
On Friday, stewards ordered all horses trained by Weir to be scratched from weekend races and Weir is not allowed to enter any horses in a race as a trainer or owner before tomorrow's disciplinary hearing.
Horses pulled from Ballarat, Warrnambool
About 70 racehorses managed by the nation's largest racehorse syndicate, Australian Bloodstock, are being pulled from Weir's stables near Ballarat, the business's co-owner Luke Murrell told the ABC.
He said the business needed to do the "best thing by the horses" and was looking at sending them to a range of separate trainers.
"If it turned around and Darren wasn't suspended, they'd be straight back there, but I don't see that happening," he said.
"I don't think the board is going to turn around and say, 'Don't do it again' type thing.
"Regardless of what people want to say about Darren, you can only treat people how they treat you and he's been fantastic to us."
Mr Murrell said he empathised with Weir as "the best trainer in Australia" grappled with the charges.
"Mentally, not many people I think could go through what Darren will have to go through," he said.
Possibility of job losses
At Weir's stables in Warrnambool, at least three horse transport floats took horses away from the property within the space of an hour this morning.
The South West Owners, Trainers and Riders Association's Tammy Good said about 80 horses were trained by Weir at Warrnambool.
"A lot of the staff are saddened by horses leaving that they've been caring for," she said.
"They see horses just being loaded up and taken away.
"There's certainly uncertainty about their jobs, you know, their livelihoods … depending on the outcome of the proceedings, there is that possibility that people will be put off fairly quickly."
Mr Murrell said the businesses near Ballarat would be hurt by the flow-on effect of the scandal.
"It's not just Darren and the staff. People from the corner shop selling sandwiches to the workers, right through to feed suppliers and transport, it affects a hell of a lot of people."
Weir foreman to fight charges
Jarrod McLean, assistant trainer and foreman at Weir's Warrnambool stable, will contest a Racing Victoria charge for allegedly possessing a similar electric-shock device.
Racing Victoria will allow him to continue to train until his hearing.
"Significant conditions have also been imposed on his operation until such time as the charges have been heard and determined by the RAD Board," Racing Victoria's executive general manager of integrity Jamie Stier said.
"The stewards note that investigations remain ongoing and that they reserve the right to act upon any new evidence that comes to hand during the course of those investigations."
Charges of failing to assist the stewards, laid against licensed foreman Tyson Kermond, will not be pursued.
Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick, a crossbencher in the state's Upper House, called for a parliamentary inquiry into the industry.
"The [Racing Integrity Commissioner] does a particularly good job, but I don't think it has enough powers, I don't think it has enough reach," he said.
"We have to be able to interview people, we have to be able to bring them before this inquiry and get real evidence."
However, Racing Minister Martin Pakula dismissed the idea of a parliamentary inquiry.
"If we were to adopt the Animal Justice Party's position on the racing industry, there wouldn't be a racing industry," he said.
"We've had numerous inquiries, numerous changes to legislation.
"What's occurred here is a demonstration the integrity arrangements we have in place are working."
The Opposition's racing spokesman, Tim Bull, said the vast majority of trainers did the right thing and cared deeply for their animals.
"This situation is obviously very unfortunate and is still playing itself out, but the racing industry is very strong."
ABC/Reuters
Topics: sport, horse-racing, miners-rest-3352, ballarat-3350, warrnambool-3280, australia, vic
First posted