Former Hall Of Famer’s DQ Quashed On Appeal

Queensland Racing Appeals Panel (QRAP) has overturned an additional 10-year disqualification handed to former Hall of Fame greyhound trainer and convicted live baiter Ron Ball.

Greyhound trainer Ron Ball.

Queensland Racing Appeals Panel (QRAP) was scathing of Queensland greyhound racing’s integrity arm QRIC (Queensland Racing Integrity Commission) when overturning a further 10-year disqualification issued to former Hall of Fame greyhound trainer and convicted live baiter Ron Ball.

On Tuesday, QRAP chair Kerry O’Brien AM handed down the decision that the QRIC charge be “set aside” making the determination that “no charge be laid” against Ball citing procedural omissions, the unacceptably long and unexplained delay and misleading communications as the reasons for decision.

Ball, who prepared the great Flying Amy during his six-decade training career, fronted QRAP last month in a bid to have the additional 10-year disqualification quashed.

The 83-year-old former trainer was handed a life-ban for live baiting in 2015 before the penalty was sensationally slashed to 10-years on appeal, opening the door for a potential return to the industry this year.

But in the lead up to the 2015 penalty expiring, QRIC officials again disqualified Ball for another 10-years, after he admitted to being on the property and handling greyhounds for his partner and then licenced person Serena Lawrance back in October 2022.

“Ball’s undisputed account was that he was at his partner Ms. Lawrence’s property on 9 October 2022 as a “one-off” incident because she was unwell, and he merely hosed out kennels for unregistered dogs,” the appeal decision stated.

READ: Ball issues stinging broadside in fight to resume training career

QRAP concluded that Ball’s alleged rule breach was at the “very lower end of the scale of seriousness” and the proceedings at the Stewards’ inquiry were “fundamentally flawed”.

“The Applicant (Ball) was never given the opportunity to present argument in relation to any of the options set out in GAR 169(3), let alone to respond to any properly formulated charge,” the appeal decision read.

“He was afforded no opportunity to respond by way of plea, or to make any submissions in relation to penalty.”

QRAP’s decision leaves the door open to Ball now reapplying for his licence which he became eligible to do in May 2025.

Originally published as Former Hall Of Famer’s DQ Quashed On Appeal