Harness Racing SA bans trainer, horse owner over $25m drug bust

A well-known harness racing trainer and a horse owner have been stopped from competing in trots events after being charged over a $25m drug haul.

Detective Chief Inspector Darren Fielke speaks to media follow the seizure of 50kg of methamphetamine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Two harness racing identities have been ordered to stop racing horses following their arrest in a multimillion-dollar drug bust.

Trainer, track attendant and former Globe Derby Park race starter Jonathan Kingston-Mayne and horse owner Andrew Benz were charged last month over their alleged role in a methamphetamine haul valued at $25m.

Benz was driving a truck which was stopped by police at Port Wakefield, with detectives allegedly finding 50kg of drugs hidden in horse feed, which it was carrying.

A subsequent search of Kingston-Mayne’s property at Angle Vale allegedly found cannabis, cash counting machines, electronic scales and packaging suitable for drugs.

One of the two men charged over the alleged drug haul was a track attendant and former race starter at Globe Derby Park.

The two men were charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

Both since have appeared in court, prompting harness racing’s controlling body, Harness Racing SA (HRSA), to temporarily stop them from participating in the sport.

In a report obtained by the Sunday Mail, HRSA acting chief steward Graham Loch said Kingston-Mayne, a well-known trainer and former trots driver, was taken off the roster of track attendants at Globe Derby Park following his arrest.

Mr Loch said HRSA chief executive Ross Neal had sent Kingston-Mayne an email saying: “HRSA has chosen to not roster you on to work at this point until there is some further clarity in relation to your situation.

“HRSA stewards also issued a show cause letter to Andrew Benz regarding possible action to refuse entries in his name.

“Stewards proceeded to refuse the nominations of all horses owned or part-owned by Andrew Benz.”

The methamphetamine weighed 50kg and had an estimated street value of $25m.

Mr Loch said HRSA stewards met with Kingston-Mayne to discuss the criminal charges he was facing.

He said Kingston-Mayne was interviewed by stewards while he was on police bail awaiting his first court appearance.

Benz could not be interviewed as he has been in custody since he was arrested.

The other man charged over the alleged drug haul was the owner of horses which regularly competed at Globe Derby Park and other harness racing tracks in SA.

Mr Loch said stewards questioned Kingston-Mayne about his relationship with Benz.

“Subsequently, Kingston-Mayne was advised that acting under Rule 213 the nominations of horses trained by him would be refused,” he said.

Mr Loch said the decision was due to be reviewed on May 17 but this had been delayed as Kingston-Mayne had appeared earlier in court than expected.

He will face court again in August.