More horse owners make claims about Chynna Marston’s Recycled Racehorses farm
More owners have come forward with claims over the treatment of animals they had entrusted to the care of a NSW farm for retired racehorses that is linked to Chynna Marston.
NSW
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The mystery surrounding a NSW farm for retired racehorses has deepened, as more owners have come forward with claims over the treatment of animals they had entrusted to its care.
The owners claim there were issues with the treatment of their horses at the Recycled Racehorses farm, which is linked to Sky Racing commentator and former jockey Chynna Marston.
Marston denies any horse was mistreated at Recycled Racehorses farm.
“Any horses that are or have been in my care are well maintained and cared for,” she said.
Marston and her partner Alex Dean have been placed on Racing NSW’s exclusion list while allegations of mistreatment are investigated.
Despite hopes the matter would be resolved last week, a source for Racing NSW, which is conducting the investigation, has told The Sunday Telegraph the investigation is expected to be concluded next week, although a further delay is possible.
It’s understood Marston’s partner of two years Dean, a miner, has requested more time due to the demands of his day job.
Marston was also stood down by Sky Racing on June 6, following publication of the exclusion list.
As a result she missed scheduled racing coverage from the Sapphire Coast last weekend.
On Saturday a spokesman for Sky Racing said: “Chynna has been stood down pending the outcome of a Racing NSW investigation.”
Sky Racing is expected to conduct its own investigation afterwards.
The investigation relates to Racing NSW’s decision to include Marston and Kean on its Exclusion List earlier this month.
The list prohibits the pair from receiving racehorses “transferred, sold or gifted upon retirement or thereafter” due to concerns for the welfare of animals in their care.
Racing NSW has jurisdiction over all thoroughbreds domiciled in NSW regardless of whether they are racing or not.
As a result, the RSPCA is unlikely to manage a welfare complaint alleging the abuse or neglect of the racehorse.
Horse owner Claire Gee, the daughter of Moruya trainer Mark Gee, last week confirmed having lodged a complaint about Marston to the RSPCA and Racing NSW in May after a pony she entrusted into Marston’s care was allegedly returned to her in an emaciated and neglected state.
Marston is threatening legal action over the publication of an article last week concerning Gee’s pony.
Marston says the horse’s emaciated appearance was due to a heart condition.
Marston describes herself as a volunteer with “no official role or capacity” with Recycled Racehorses.
A racing industry insider said that during the past fortnight Racing NSW had conducted two inspections at Marston’s Bowning property.
Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys declined to comment when approached for an update on the status of the investigation.
Gee’s story last week prompted an outpouring of anger and concern from other horse owners.
Marston, speaking through a lawyer, has denied allegations of mistreating horses and breaching animal welfare standards.
PATCH
Magic Millions Cup-winning jockey Deanne Panya says she has no idea what became of the horse she gave Chynna Marston for her rehoming operation in 2018.
Panya, who was an apprentice jockey with Marston, said she stipulated to Marston that if the retraining and rehoming of Patch didn’t work out, she wanted the horse returned to her.
About four months later a friend sent Panya a photo of Patch at a Recycled Racehorses property, believed to be Wallaroo, looking thinner and scruffy.
“It was late October, well into spring, and Patch looked terrible in the photos,” Panya says.
“He was underweight, you could see his spine and he was still wearing his winter coat — a sign his health was poor, as they usually shed and are sleek and shiny by October.”
The worrying photos prompted Panya to contact Marston who, she said, refused to return the horse.
Through a lawyer, Marston said on Saturday that Panya had not requested the return of the horse, and denied any mistreatment.
“Patch is a healthy and well-maintained horse, as can be seen from the photo of Patch taken today,” Marston said.
“Patch’s owner has not asked for Patch to be returned since Patch was handed over in 2018.”
ZARI
Zari was a spirited four-year-old filly when her owner, Christine Millar, decided to give her to Chynna Marston’s Recycled Racehorses in late 2017.
A poor rider, Millar had bred Zari on her property and, after employing an experienced trainer to prepare her for the racetrack, later decided against racing her.
Instead she opted to give the horse to someone who might re-educate Zari for other equine activities.
When a trainer suggested Marston’s operation for retraining and rehoming, Millar donated her horse to Recycled Racehorses.
Within weeks Zari, a pretty imposing 16-hand mount who weighed about 550kg in peak condition, was being prepped to feature as Miss February on a fundraising calendar Marston was releasing.
But later, when Millar reclaimed her horse, she said she appeared underfed and “ribby”, covered with calluses on her face while her body was riddled with rain scald.
Zari, nine, is today in training for a career in off-track horse events.
Marston denied there was any scarring and said,“ Zari was properly and fully cared for at all times. Zari was returned to her original owner in a fine and healthy condition. She was not underfed at all.”
BJ*
Horse lover Lou*, who met Marston at horseriding lessons in 2018, took on the care of two rescue horses who they say were unwell after spending time at Recycled Racehorses.
Chynna Marston denies any horses were mistreated at Recycled Racehorses.
“Any horses that are or have been in my care are well-maintained and cared for,” she said.
The two horses were transported by Marston to a paddock near Lou’s home.
Lou described the sickening moment the rugs were removed from the horses.
“I vomited. Their skin had become bacterial. They were heavily infected with rain scald and emaciated. Both had skin disease and when I took off the rugs, the skin came away too,” Lou said.
“It was just … a mess.”
When confronted about the poor condition of the horses, Marston allegedly told Lou the horses had been mistreated by the racing industry before arriving at her property.
Lou said a local vet refused to treat the horses because they claimed Marston owed them money.
Marston said on Saturday: “I do not owe any veterinarians money for any treatment of animals”.
Tragically, one of Lou’s beloved rescued horses, Ned, later died.
BJ, who is about 16, is today “traumatised” but has recovered from his physical injuries.
He is no longer skin and bone.
When asked a series of questions about the treatment of BJ, Marston denied the horse was mistreated.
“I deny handing over two horses free of charge to any person in 2020 and do not know how or why any such allegation like this could be made,” she said through her lawyer.
* Some names have been changed
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