Stablehand Anthony Peasnell fined for using a stockwhip on a racehorse at Flemington

A long-running case has finally ended with a stablehand being fined $2000 but cleared of cruelty charges in a Victorian Racing Tribunal hearing into the use of a stockwhip at Flemington in 2021 and 2022.

A stablehand has been fined $2000 at the end of a long-running case involving the use and possession of a stockwhip.

A long-running saga involving the alleged use of a stockwhip has resulted in a Flemington stablehand receiving a $2000 fine.

Anthony Peasnell was charged with cruelty offences after stewards alleged he struck a horse “numerous times” with force with a stockwhip, including blows to the head, in an incident in December 2021.

Stewards also charged Peasnell with possession of a stockwhip and using the stockwhip in the presence of the Simon Zahra-trained racehorse Age Of Infinity before the horse raced on December 30 2021.

Peasnell also faced similar charges relating to an incident involving Recourse in May 2022.

The Victorian Racing Tribunal began hearing the case in June last year before concluding earlier this month.

The three-person panel, chaired by Judge Kathryn Kings, head Peasnell had the stockwhip in his possession and used it while encouraging horses to jump obstacles in the Flemington bullring.

Bullwhips have been banned from racing stables since 2009.

Seven witnesses gave evidence to the hearing, in which Peasnell pleaded not guilty to the cruelty offences but guilty to having the stockwhip in his possession.

The VRT panel found there were inconsistencies with crucial evidence from a stablehand alleging Peasnell left welts on Age Of Infinity when striking the horse.

However, other witnesses, including another stablehand that shampooed Age Of Infinity before he went to the races on that day, stated there were no welts nor any other problems with the horse.

Three other witnesses declared Peasnell did not strike Age Of Infinity to the head or face but instead, made low impact contact three times with the horses hocks.

The VRT found the horse was not struck to the head, nor did Peasnell cause any welts on the horse, therefore ruling the stablehand did not commit an act of cruelty.

Stewards urged the VRT to fine Peasnell $12,000 on the remaining charges; however, the panel fined him a total of $2000 on the other charges.

Originally published as Stablehand Anthony Peasnell fined for using a stockwhip on a racehorse at Flemington