Weir suffers blow in bid to return to training after cruelty charges

Darren Weir’s bid to return to racing has taken a new twist after Victoria’s regulatory authority tightened a policy to make it harder for animal welfare offenders to regain a licence.

The Melbourne Cup-winning trainer’s four-year ban for possession of electric shock devices expires today, but Racing Victoria quietly updated the guidelines for its strict character test for persons seeking a licence in the industry over the past few weeks.

In documents seen by the Herald and The Age, Racing Victoria says one of three additions to its suitability policy when assessing a person’s prior record would specifically include “the applicant’s past conduct in relation to any matter related to animal welfare”.

It seems long odds Weir will be granted a trainer’s licence - at least in the interim - given the change, which forms part of the criteria for the state’s fit and proper person policy across three racing codes. Weir will be free to return to a racetrack on Tuesday, but not in any official capacity.

Weir’s barrister, Ian Hill KC, told a Warrnambool court in December the Melbourne Cup-winning trainer would be seeking a return to the racing industry after his criminal matter was finalised.

Weir was fined $36,000 after he pleaded guilty to three criminal charges for animal cruelty, but escaped conviction.

The court was shown surveillance footage of Weir, his former assistant Jarrod McLean and stablehand Tyson Kermond using an electric shock device - known as a jigger - poly pipe and blinkers on three horses while they exercised on a treadmill at his Warrnambool stables. All three were contenders for the 2018 Melbourne Cup.

Racing Victoria stewards have reopened their inquiry into Weir after the evidence was tendered in court.

“That process remains ongoing,” a Racing Victoria spokesperson said. “We don’t intend to provide a running commentary on whether Mr Weir is seeking to be relicensed or not.

“If, and when, an application is made by a disqualified person seeking to be relicensed, it will be subjected to RV’s normal licensing procedures and considered by RV’s licensing panel and the RV board in accordance with its usual processes.

“As part of this process a disqualified person is also required to show cause as to why they should be relicensed. This is a robust process that takes into account many factors, including whether the individual is considered suitable to hold a licence in Victoria.”

Weir’s lawyer, Tony Hargreaves, declined to comment on Sunday.

A number of high-profile racing owners including Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett, OTI’s Terry Henderson and Nature Strip’s managing owner Rod Lyons have all indicated they will support the trainer if he’s allowed to open up a new stable.

Darren Weir is eligible to reapply for a training licence on Monday.Credit: Jason South

But Victoria’s animal welfare mandate has cast doubt on those hopes.

“RV’s suitability policy has been published since April 2019 and has given broad consideration to the historical conduct of each licensing applicant throughout its use.

“Following the November 2022 introduction of the Victorian Racing Integrity Board’s fit and proper person policy to guide the state’s three racing codes, a review of RV’s suitability policy has been completed and updates made to more closely align the two policies and provide greater clarity around areas of focus.

“Each application received by RV has and will continue to be considered on its own set of facts.”

The other changes to Victoria’s suitability policy cater for applicants “subject of an exclusion order made by the Commissioner of Police in Victoria or any other jurisdiction”, and persons who have been “a director, partner, or concerned in the management of a business that has gone into insolvency, liquidation or administration”.

Weir has kept a low profile during his time in the wilderness, with Hill claiming in court “he’s not a person who is cruel by nature” and “he made a mistake … and he’s paid a heavy price”.

The trainer famously prepared the Michelle Payne-ridden Prince Of Penzance to win the 2015 Melbourne Cup, and racked up 36 group 1 winners before his stunning fall from grace. Weir’s horses won $31 million in prize money alone in the 2017-18 season.

His ban prompted star horses Nature Strip and Verry Elleegant, who have won the last three Australian Horse of the Year titles between them, to move to Chris Waller’s yard, while crack sprinter Yes Yes Yes won The Everest eight months after police moved on Australia’s most prolific trainer.

About 200 staff were also left seeking alternative employment.

Police and stewards found jiggers in the master bedroom of a property at Weir’s main Ballarat stable during a dawn raid in early 2019.

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.