Weir and three others charged by Victoria Police

By Bren O'Brien

Disqualified trainer Darren Weir has been charged by Victoria Police on nine counts of alleged animal cruelty and conspiracy offences.

The case against Weir, a winner of 36 Group 1 races, and one of Australia's leading trainers over the past decade before his disqualification in February, includes charges of conspiracy to defraud Racing Victoria, engaging in the torturing, abusing, overworking and terrifying of a thoroughbred racehorse, and causing unreasonable pain or suffering to a thoroughbred racehorse.

He was one of four men charged on Wednesday, with a hearing to take place at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on October 23.

The others charged include Jarrod McLean , who faces 16 charges, former Weir employee Tyson Kermond, who faces seven charges and licensed rider agent Willie Hernan, who was issued with one charge. Full details of the charges are contained below.

Weir, his assistant McLean and Kermond were arrested and released without charge following raids by police and stewards on several properties around Ballarat and Warrnambool on January 30.

Those raids precipitated Racing Victoria taking action against Weir, who was then disqualified for four years by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board after pleading no contest to four charges, three of them in relation to the possession of an electronic apparatus on his licensed premises and the other for conduct prejudicial to the image of racing.

Racing Victoria issued a statement in response to the charges.

"Racing Victoria confirms that it has been advised by Victoria Police's Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit that it has today issued charges against four persons in relation to its investigation into the activities of licensed or registered persons in the Warrnambool and Ballarat areas following the execution of warrants at properties on 30 January 2019," said the written statement from RV.

"RV (Racing Victoria) Stewards are giving these matters careful consideration and will provide a further update in due course."

While Weir has begun his disqualification, McLean remains eligible to train as he fights the charges issued against him by Racing Victoria. He has been asked to attend a Racing Victoria inquiry on Thursday along with Kermond and Hernan to answer questions about the charges.

The charges issued on Wednesday are as follows:

A 49-year-old Baringhup man has been issued nine charges including:

• Conspiracy to Defraud Racing Victoria Limited Stewards;

• Section 9(1)(a) of Prevention Cruelty to Animals Act - engaging in the torturing, abusing, overworking and terrifying of a Thoroughbred Race Horse x 3;

• Section 9(1)(c) of Prevention Cruelty to Animals Act - causing unreasonable pain or suffering to a Thoroughbred Race Horse x 3;

• Possess Unregistered Category A longarm; and

• Use controlled weapon without excuse.

A 38-year-old Yangery man has been issued 16 charges including:

• Conspiracy to Defraud Racing Victoria Limited Stewards;

• 195C Engage in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome of event or event contingency x 2;

• 195F Use of Corrupt Conduct Information x 5;

• Section 9(1)(a) of Prevention Cruelty to Animals Act - engaging in the torturing, abusing, overworking and terrifying of a Thoroughbred Race Horse x 3;

• Section 9(1)(c) of Prevention Cruelty to Animals Act- causing unreasonable pain or suffering to a Thoroughbred Race Horse x 3; and

• Possess Drug of Dependence (Cocaine).

A 27-year-old Warrnambool man has been issued seven charges including:

• Conspiracy to Defraud Racing Victoria Limited Stewards;

• Section 9(1)(a) of Prevention Cruelty to Animals Act - engaging in the torturing, abusing, overworking and terrifying of a Thoroughbred Race Horse x 3; and

• Section 9(1)(c) of Prevention Cruelty to Animals Act - causing unreasonable pain or suffering to a Thoroughbred Race Horse x 3.

A 31-year-old Warrnambool man has been charged with one count of 195F Use of Corrupt Conduct Information.

RV launches Racing For All

The news came on the same day Racing Victoria launched its Fair Racing For All report which has outlined seven areas to improve voluntary compliance to avoid major integrity breaches, including equine welfare breaches, and promote a responsible culture of fair play, ethical behavior and respect.

"The Fair Racing for All Report is a chance for our industry to take the practical steps to remain sustainable and prosper in the future," RV Chairman, Brian Kruger, said.

“The broad range of stakeholders consulted told the Fair Racing for All steering committee that these are the areas our industry must focus on if we wish to have high levels of integrity and ultimately prosper.

“The recommendations endorsed by the RV Board reflect the submissions and commentary provided during the consultation period and will require an industry-wide approach to implement them.

“These are important initiatives and we understand they will require resourcing and consultation with stakeholders, but we’ll be working to implement many of these recommendations for the next licensing period from mid-2020.

“If we are to succeed and grow as an industry, then integrity, culture and behaviours must be a shared responsibility for all within Victorian racing.”

The seven areas endorsed by the RV Board are:

Values and Behaviours - Articulate, promote and celebrate adherence to fundamental values of the ‘Spirit of Horse Racing’ and the ‘Golden Rules’ of conduct for each key participant group;

Compulsory Personal Development - Focus on the provision of education, training and support networks for industry participants to improve conduct and the understanding of the Rules of Racing;

Enhanced Licensing Standards - Update the licensing and accreditation standards to improve licensee accountability, maintain a high level of knowledge and increase industry standards by all licensees;

Updated Penalties and Whistleblowing - Update the penalty framework and strengthen the whistleblowing policy;

Improved Information Sharing - Foster stronger relationships and information sharing between RV, stakeholder groups and external agencies;

Investment in Infrastructure and Technology - Ensure requisite investment in quality infrastructure, technology and research, to further advance the industry’s capabilities, services and work practices; and

Thoroughbred sales – Encourage and promote greater transparency and confidence in the process for the buying and selling of thoroughbreds.