Racing NSW issues animal cruelty charges against Chynna Marston

Sky Racing presenter Chynna Marston and her fiance have been asked to answer charges alleging mistreatment of thoroughbreds at a Racing NSW stewards inquiry on Wednesday.

Sky Racing presenter Chynna Marston and fiance Alex Dean have been charged with seven breaches of NSW’s rules of racing relating to the alleged treatment of retired racehorses ­entrusted into their care.

Marston, a former jockey turned Sky Thoroughbred Racing commentator, was on Friday charged with three breaches of the racing rules while her coal miner boyfriend faces four charges, including one charge of destroying a thoroughbred horse and failing to advise a veterinary surgeon.

The charges come three weeks after the couple were placed on Racing NSW’s ­Exclusion List on June 5, ­banning them from receiving horses “transferred, sold or gifted upon retirement”.

When approached for comment last night, Marston listed a series of personal traumas and said she believed she had been treated unfairly.

She has repeatedly denied mistreating animals left in her care at the racehorse retirement charity she founded in 2015.

Alexander Kean and fiancee Chynna Marston. Picture: Instagram

This month she distanced herself from the charity, claiming she was only a volunteer at Recycled Racehorses.

Racing NSW stewards charged Marston and Kean on Friday. They have been asked to attend a stewards ­inquiry at Racing NSW Sydney headquarters on Druitt St at 10am on Wednesday.

Sky Racing’s Chynna Marston. Picture: Instagram

Marston remains stood down from Sky Thoroughbred Racing’s coverage following her suspension on June 5.

The three charges Marston will be asked to defend at Wednesday’s stewards inquiry are as follows. Breach LR114(2)(a): She failed to provide sufficient nutrition to 12 thoroughbred horses between the period on or around 27 March 2023 and 5 June 2023; Breach LR114(2)(d): She failed to provide veterinary treatment to six thoroughbred horses between the period on or around 14 February 2023 and 27 March 2023; Breach AR228(a): That she did engage in conduct that was prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity or welfare of racing, by failing to ensure the welfare of thoroughbred horses.

Her partner of two years, Kean, has also been summoned to the inquiry to face four charges.

A registered owner, Kean faces the same three charges as Marston plus an additional charge, breach LR114(4): That he allegedly destroyed a thoroughbred horse and failed to confirm the decision to destroy that horse with a veterinary surgeon.

Sky Racing commentators John Scorse and Chynna Marston. Picture: Instagram

Under Racing NSW’s rules, registered persons are required to provide a standard of care to all thoroughbreds including nutrition and veterinary treatment.

The stewards’ charges against Marston came after Claire Gee, the daughter of Moruya trainer Mark Gee, registered a formal complaint with the RSPCA and Racing NSW last month over Marston’s care of a pony she was looking after on her property near Yass.

At the steward’s inquiry

Marston will be asked to defend three charges at Wednesday’s stewards inquiry:

• Charge 1: Between the period on or around 27 March 2023 and 5 June 2023, did fail to provide sufficient nutrition to 12 thoroughbred horses.

• Charge 2: Between the period on or around 14 February 2023 and 27 March 2023, did fail to provide veterinary treatment to six thoroughbred horses.

• Charge 3: Did engage in conduct that was prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity or welfare of racing, by failing to ensure the welfare of thoroughbred horses.

Kean, a registered owner, has also been summoned to the inquiry after four charges were issued against him. They are:

• Charge 1: Between the period on or around 27 March 2023 and 5 June 2023, did fail to provide sufficient nutrition to 12 thoroughbred horses.

• Charge 2: Between the period on or around 14 February 2023 and 27 March 2023, did fail to provide veterinary treatment to six named thoroughbred horses.

• Charge 3: Did destroy a thoroughbred horse and failed to confirm the decision to destroy that horse with a veterinary surgeon.

• Charge 4: Did engage in conduct that was prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity or welfare of racing, by failing to ensure the welfare of thoroughbred horses.