Top horse trainer Gary Portelli allegedly assaulted at Kembla Grange Racecourse

A man has been charged after Golden Slipper-winning horse trainer Gary Portelli was allegedly assaulted in a racecourse car park — with the incident understood to be linked to his new relationship.

Two-time Golden Slipper-winning horse trainer Gary Portelli has been attacked at an Illawarra racecourse, with a man charged over the alleged assault.

Portelli, 53, was allegedly the subject of a violent attack in the car park of Kembla Grange Racecourse on Thursday afternoon, suffering serious injuries to his face.

Fergus Richard Dorney, 38, has been charged with assault over the incident, which is understood to be linked to Portelli’s new ­relationship.

Sources say he split from long-time wife Kellie, and has recently been introducing his new partner to people within the racing circle.

In a statement, police said Mr Portelli’s vehicle was damaged as a result of the ­altercation.

Trainer Gary Portelli with wife Kellie, from whom he is understood to have split.

“About 4.30pm on Thursday October 13, police were called to a racecourse at Kembla Grange, after reports of an assault,” a police spokesperson said.

“Officers from Lake ­Illawarra Police District attended and spoke with a 53-year-old man who had been assaulted, suffering facial injuries, and his vehicle was damaged.”

Witnesses saw several security officers run to the carpark at the time of the incident, and said police were quickly called to the scene.

Dorney attended Lake Illawarra Police Station later that afternoon, where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and presented with an application for AVO.

Dorney was granted police bail on the condition he stay away from Mr Portelli, and is set to face Port Kembla Local Court next week.

When contacted by The Saturday Telegraph, Mr Portelli declined to comment.

Gary Portelli is one of Sydney’s best horse trainers. Picture: Getty Images

A source close to Mr Portelli said the star trainer needed hospital treatment, but was back at work training his team from his Warwick Farm stable base on Friday.

“It’s business as usual at the Portelli stable, with promising filly Thinking Rain and Arctic Thunder leading chances at Royal Randwick’s Everest meeting on Saturday,” the source said.

Mr Portelli won his second Golden Slipper in March, with two-year-old Fireburn storming at Rosehill Gardens.

He is considered one of Sydney’s best horse trainers, and runs a state-of-the-art training centre at Warwick Farm.

Over the course of his lengthy career, Mr Portelli has become a regular in the winner’s circle, clocking up more than $48 million in prize money.

Mr Portelli’s horses didn’t make the top three at The 2022 Everest, which was won by Giga Kick, followed by Private Eye and Mazu.

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