Victorian racehorse trainer Greg Eurell allegedly threatened by disgruntled former employee Keith Dutchman
A top Victorian horse trainer and former Olympian has come under fire from a disgruntled ex-employee who claimed to be the victim of discrimination.
South East
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Cox Plate-winning trainer and former Olympian Greg Eurell has allegedly been threatened by a disgruntled ex-employee who claimed he was discriminated against under the Equal Opportunity act.
Keith Dutchman launched legal action against his former boss after ceasing work with Eurell in May last year.
Eurell, a talented horseman who trained baldy face legend Apache Cat, maintained Mr Dutchman quit.
Eurell read texts to the VCAT purportedly sent by Mr Dutchman to support his claim.
However, an emotional Mr Dutchman told the tribunal he was sacked.
“I never quit, I was fired,” Mr Dutchman said.
“How can I leave a job I don’t have?”
The exact details regarding Mr Dutchman’s tiff with his ex-boss and how he was allegedly discriminated against were not revealed during the brief but fiery hearing.
Eurell told the tribunal a separation certificate produced for Mr Dutchman stated the former employee was deemed to be “unsuitable” for this type of work.
A combative Mr Dutchman hit back claiming the certificate stated he was “unfit” for work.
Tribunal deputy president Genevieve Nihill suggested the warring parties attend a mediation session before the matter progressed to a further hearing.
Mr Dutchman rubbished the idea, telling the tribunal he attempted mediation with Eurell last year.
“They are lying, they’re all going to stick to their story, I know how this is going to play out … Greg is just lying,” Mr Dutchman said.
“He refused to come to mediation … if he had come to mediation we wouldn’t be here now.”
Eurell said he was “concerned” and “disturbed” after Mr Dutchman ceased working for his Cranbourne-based training operation.
Deputy president Nhill granted Mr Dutchman leave to make a fresh application to pursue Eurell for alleged human rights breaches.
Mr Dutchman immediately flipped and demanded his application be withdrawn despite the mini-legal victory.
“I’m never going to win,” Mr Dutchman said.
“They’re a big main trainer and I’m just one person … I don’t want anymore to do with these a**holes.
“They’ll get what’s comin to them, maybe not from me, but they will get what’s coming from someone, they’ll do this to the wrong person one day.”
“I hope this is over and done with,” Eurell told the tribunal.
Eurell is a veteran Victorian trainer who took up thoroughbred racing after competing for Australia in the equestrian at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Arguably Eurell’s biggest achievement on the track was when he trained mare Pinker Pinker to win the 2011 Cox Plate.
Eurell became a household name among racing enthusiasts after he trained Australian champion sprinter Apache Cat.
The ‘Cat’ was popular with fans due to his big baldy white face and his determination which saw him win many major Australian Group 1 sprint races.
Apache Cat, who survived cancer last year, retired after a Hong Kong jaunt and is now one of the most popular horses at Living Legends.
Deputy president Nhill set the matter down for a directions hearing to be heard next month.
Eurell was contacted for comment.
