Torquay horse trainer Bryce Stanaway left bedridden by serious illness

Following his return from a three-year ban, a Torquay horse trainer famous for the ‘Sandwichgate’ incident was rushed to hospital earlier this month.

Torquay trainer Bryce Stanaway has been hospitalised with a debilitating illness. Picture: Supplied

A veteran Torquay horse trainer who had only recently returned from a three-year ban has been left bedridden with a debilitating illness.

Bryce Stanaway was rushed to hospital earlier this month with severe back pain and nausea.

He is currently battling a spinal infection, bowel obstruction, and kidney issues among other ailments.

On Wednesday, a GoFundMe page was started by Kaylah Thurrowgood to support Mr Stanaway’s recovery and help his family cover his medical costs.

As of Sunday more than $9500 had been raised from 57 donations towards a target of $10,000.

In a statement on the page, Ms Thurrowgood said the 65-year-old trainer faced a “long road to recovery”.

“Right now, returning to work is simply not possible – and may not be for a very long time, if at all,” she said.

“This sudden and overwhelming medical crisis has turned life upside down for him and those around him.

“Every donation, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference.”

Ms Thurrowgood said despite his condition, Mr Stanaway’s stable was running as normal.

Mr Stanaway with horse Crafty Cruiser at his Torquay training base in 2015. Picture: Colleen Petch.

“Ventura Highway, Hanaki Warrior, Compulsive, and the rest of the team still reside on the farm and are being well cared for,” she said.

“As we all know, Bryce’s horses are his top priority.”

In February 2022, Mr Stanaway was disqualified by the Victorian Racing Tribunal found him guilty of seven charges relating to an incident in Bendigo two years earlier.

The ban meant he lost his trainer’s licence for three years for intimidating or abusive conduct and failing to provide urgent veterinary treatment.

The New Zealand national, who has been operating in Torquay for more than 20 years, allegedly threatened vets tending to one of his horses, Moorabool, and continued to refuse them to treat it three days later.

However, the ban is not the most publicised incident Mr Stanaway has been at the centre of.

In 2015 he refused to race three of his horses after a heated argument with Pakenham Racing Club boss Michael Hodge over a lack of food in the trainers room.

The infamous episode, which became known as Sandwichgate, resulted in Mr Stanaway copping a $2000 fine for conduct prejudicial to the image of racing.

Originally published as Torquay horse trainer Bryce Stanaway left bedridden by serious illness