Australian trainer Darren Weir, trainer Jarrod McLean and stablehand Tyson Kermond, who were found guilty of animal cruelty in the Australian magistrates court in December, have each been hit with fresh racing charges by the Racing Victoria stewards on Thursday, The Age reported.
Each man was given 10 charges relating to the use of an electronic apparatus or “jigger” on Yogi (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}), Red Cardinal (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Tosen Basil (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) when they trained on a treadmill at Weir's Warrnambool stables on Oct. 30, 2018. The trio were caught on video using a jigger. All three were handed four charges for corrupt conduct and six charges for animal cruelty apiece.
Weir was originally disqualified for four years beginning in February of 2019 due to being in possession of jiggers that were found in his bedroom following a police raid. If he is convicted again, he would be banned from working with horses for life. Currently, he is pre-training horses.
“The charges relate to the stewards' inquiry into the conduct of Mr. Weir, Mr. McLean and Mr. Kermond which was reactivated after further evidence was presented in the Magistrates' Court on 14 December 2022 in the course of criminal proceedings against the three individuals,” the stewards' statement said.
“Since December, the stewards have conducted a comprehensive investigation involving interviews with multiple persons and analysis of a substantial volume of materials.”
“Mr. Weir was at all relevant times the licensed trainer of Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil and Yogi.
“On or about 30 October 2018, on each horse Mr. Weir used an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting their performance in a race.
“Mr. Weir applied the apparatus to Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil and Yogi with the intention of affecting their performance, and thereby affecting their results in future races.”
“The original penalties related to the possession charges and that matter proceeded on the evidence that was available at that time,” Jamie Stier, Racing Victoria's executive general manager of integrity services, said in December last year.
“Following yesterday's open court hearing, there's been further evidence come to light.
“In October 2019, the stewards actually opened an inquiry into the criminal charges laid by the police, so that inquiry has been sitting there open. The stewards have reactivated their inquiry now, and they will now consider any evidence that becomes available to them.”
A date with the Victorian Racing Tribunal is pending for the three men.
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