Director of Racing suspends harness training and driving licences for two industry heavyweights

Director of Racing takes action against harness racing identities Ben and Tim Yole in the three-month long report into the harness racing industry. What he determined >>

Ben Yole.

An independent MP is calling for “permanent revocation” of harness racers Ben and Tim Yole licences after those licences were suspended by the Director of Racing, Robin Thompson on Tuesday.

More than a year since allegations were first aired, harness racing brothers Ben and Tim Yole have had their harness training and driving licences suspended.

Director of Racing Robin Thompson made the decision, which will suspend their licences until the Independent Stewards Panel makes its determination on the charges, after considering the responses of the brothers.

“The director has made a determination to suspend both their harness training and driving licences until the independent stewards panel makes its determination with respect to the charges issued,” Robin Thompson, Director of Racing said in a statement on Tuesday morning.

Kristie Johnston Independent member for Clark. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A government spokesman said the government welcomed and acknoledged the decision to suspend the licences.

“We are intent on restoring faith and rebuilding trust in Tasmania’s racing industry, and today’s action is a major step in that process,” the spokesman said.

Independent MP Kristie Johnston said the “belated suspensions” were an attempt to “save face”.

“What we are all waiting to see is the permanent revocation of their licences and a lifetime warning off, preventing them from training in the future by proxy,” Ms Johnston said.

Ben and Tim Yole were named in a report by racing integrity expert Ray Murrihy, who was appointed to look into the harness racing industry in March, 2023.

He delivered an interim report in September of that year, and handed his final findings to the government in November.

It was found Ben Yole had failed to care for an identified horse and, along with Tim Yole, mistreated other horses.

Ben Yole, Nathan Ford and Mitchell Ford were found to have acted together to “improperly advantage horses and disadvantage others in harness racing”.

Satisfied Grin, Tim Yole. Picture: Peter Staples

The results were subject to a long-running inquiry by an independent panel of stewards, which handed down its findings last week.

Three men named in the report, including Ben and Tim Yole were charged under the Australian Harness Racing Rules.

Following the findings, both Ben and Tim Yole were issued with show cause notices “regarding them being fit and proper persons to maintain a harness trainer licence”.

Mr Thompson said he received the men’s responses to the show cause notices last week.

On Tuesday, in a statement, Mr Thompson said he had considered their responses and had determined to suspend both of their harness training and driving licences until the independent panel makes its determination regarding the charges issued.

Cassy O'Connor Greens. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Greens animal welfare spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MLC said the move to suspend the licences was both justified and necessary but the horses only had “temporary reprieve” and the stables should be shut down.

“On the evidence, the Yole stable should be shut down never to cheat in a race or abuse horses again,” she said.

She said she hopes the suspensions would “stick” once the Panels’ final report is handed down.

The government spokesman said the government was “looking forward” to the Independent Stewards Panel’s determination.

He said the government was delivering the biggest reforms in racing “for decades” that would set the bar higher for the industry.

Originally published as Director of Racing suspends harness training and driving licences for two industry heavyweights