Secret footage threatens banned racehorse trainer’s comeback

Victoria’s racing authority will investigate additional evidence presented during disqualified racehorse trainer Darren Weir’s court appearance.

On Wednesday, Weir, former assistant trainer Jarrod McLean and stablehand Tyson Kermond fronted the Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court where they pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges.

These charges related to the use of a jigger — a small, taser-like device — on three racehorses during the 2018 Spring Racing Carnival.

The possession and use of jiggers is banned in horseracing.

Weir and McLean were each fined a total of $36,000, while Kermond was ordered to pay $10,000 to the RSPCA.

All three men avoided conviction.

Racing Victoria to probe ‘further evidence’

During the court mention, CCTV footage was shown of the trio training racehorses Red Cardinal, Yogi, and Tonsen Basil at Weir’s Warrnambool stables on October 30, 2018.

The cameras, which were secretly planted, captured a jigger being used on each of the horses.

In 2019, Weir was found guilty by Racing Victoria’s racing appeals and disciplinary board of possessing three outlawed electric-shock devices, and one charge of conduct prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing.

The former Melbourne cup-winning trainer was subsequently handed a four-year ban from the sport which is due to end on February 6, 2023.

Weir was not charged by Racing Victoria over the use of jiggers.

In a statement to ABC News today, Racing Victoria said its stewards were aware of “further evidence presented during Wednesday’s mention which they will now consider”.

“We have made it abundantly clear all along that should new information come to light, the stewards would actively investigate,” the statement reads.

“That process has now commenced with the stewards to follow any line of inquiry they feel appropriate.”

Weir’s hope of returning to racing aired in court

Weir’s barrister Ian Hill KC told the court his client would like to eventually return to racing. 

In a statement to ABC News on Thursday, Mr Hill KC confirmed Weir had not yet applied to be re-licensed by Racing Victoria.

Racing Victoria (RV) said any application made by a disqualified person seeking to be re-licensed “will be subjected to RV’s normal licensing procedures and considered by RV’s licensing panel and the board”.