Darren Weir facing additional penalties over animal cruelty charges

UPDATE: Banned trainer Darren Weir could face additional penalties from Racing Victoria after he was charged by police relating to alleged animal cruelty and corruption.

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Darren Weir could face additional penalties from Racing Victoria after he was issued with nine charges by Victoria Police relating to alleged animal cruelty and corruption.

The trainer will be summoned to face RV stewards at a date to be fixed.

It is possible he will face a lengthy ban if found guilty of indictable charges stemming from the discovery of three jiggers at his Ballarat stables in January.

RV head of integrity Jamie Stier said: “Darren Weir will be directed to attend an inquiry on a date to be fixed.”

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Darren Weir could face additional penalties from Racing Victoria after being hit with police charges. Picture: AAP

Weir’s former Warrnambool stable foreman Jarrod McLean could be sidelined for months, possibly years, after the Group 1-winning trainer was suspended by RV stewards until police charges against him are heard.

McLean and stablehand Tyson Kermond have been barred until a total of 23 criminal charges against them relating to corruption and animal cruelty are determined in the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

The Herald Sun understands McLean, who worked for Weir until February, is unlikely to appeal against the penalties.

Four of his horses have already been transferred to other trainers. The rest of his team will also move, subject to stewards’ approval.

Jarrod McLean faces a lengthy ban after he was suspended by stewards until police charges against him ar heard. Picture: AAP

A legal source estimates the determination of 33 charges relating to possession of four jiggers — devices capable of shocking horses — could take until 2021 or longer.

The Herald Sun has revealed one-time Melbourne Cup favourite Red Cardinal, Sandown Cup winner Yogi and expensive Japanese import Yogi are at the centre of the investigation.

All three are suspected of being struck with jiggers while on treadmills before contesting races.

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The Herald Sun has previously reported the existence of photographic evidence taken from secret cameras in stables.

Charges against some of the accused relate to allegations of betting on horses based on the knowledge they had been “jigged” or “harped.”

Weir, McLean, Kermond and Hernan are due to appear in Melbourne’s Magistrates Court on October 23.

Darren Weir’s training operation was one of the biggest in the world before its closure.