Warned-off trainers Ben and Tim Yole and Nathan and Mitchell Ford win appeal, cleared to race again

An appeal hearing cleared the way for four warned-off racing identities to return to the track. Tasracing’s response.

Ben Yole.

Tasracing is considering its next move after an appeal hearing cleared the way for four warned-off racing identities to return to the track.

On February 2, Tasracing banned those adversely named in the Murrihy Report into the harness racing industry from attending Tasmanian racetracks — including the state’s top trainer Ben Yole.

The Racing Appeals Board overturned that decision on Friday.

A Tasracing spokesman confirmed the decision was being examined.

Rackemup Tigerpie (Nathan Ford) winning Sunday night Hobart Pacing Cup at Elwick. Photo Eliza Howlett.

“Tasracing notes the release of the decision by the Tasmanian Racing Appeals Board to uphold the appeal of harness racing industry participants Ben and Tim Yole and Nathan and Mitchell Ford,” the spokesman said.

“Tasracing is considering the decision fully before providing further comment.”

Former NSW Chief Steward Ray Murrihy was commissioned to investigate media reports of team driving, race fixing and animal cruelty by Mr Yole’s stables.

His final report found multiple breaches of the rules of racing and acts of animal cruelty.

It concluded that the handling of complaints by the Office of Racing Integrity was “stilted, lacking cohesion and often not attributing the degree of seriousness necessary to the matters before them.”

The ORI, which is to be abolished in the wake of the report, is yet to take any action of its own against those accused of serious wrongdoing.

Instead, a panel of interstate stewards will hold a another inquiry into the claims.

Labor’s Dean Winter.

Labor’s Dean Winter said there was no way Mr Yole should be allowed to race.

“This is a disgrace. The harness racing industry itself does not want Ben Yole in it,” he said.

“He has been accused in the Murrihy report of serious breaches of animal welfare regulations, of race fixing, of team racing.

“Despite all of this, [Racing Minister] Felix Ellis has allowed the report to gather dust for two months, then did nothing about it. Then when Tasracing tried to do something about it, the Racing Appeals Board overturned their decision.

“The minister announced this a month ago and the panel hasn’t even met. They need to lay charges. And then the Director of Racing needs to actually stand Ben Yole down.

“He should not be racing this weekend.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Mr Winter liked nothing more than to talk down Tasmania.

“There’s no greater supporter of focusing on the integrity of racing than this government.

“We recognise the challenges, we’ve had the inquiry, we’ll implement the recommendations and we’ll ensure the integrity of the racing industry,” he said.

Mr Rockliff said the case was a matter for the Office of Racing Integrity and Tasracing.

The Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) said the decision to issue a warning off notice was made by Tasracing.

“The Office of Racing integrity is proceeding with an independent panel to review the findings of the Murrihy report and the panel formally met last week,” a spokeperson said.

“The ORI will await their decision before taking any action.”

Originally published as Warned-off trainers Ben and Tim Yole and Nathan and Mitchell Ford win appeal, cleared to race again