Doubts over Melbourne Cup win as trainer Darren Weir faces probe
One of the most celebrated moments in Australian sports history is under a cloud as star trainer Darren Weir faces a possible racing ban.
One of the most celebrated moments in Australian horseracing history — the victory of 100-1 longshot Prince of Penzance in the 2015 Melbourne Cup — is under a cloud, as star trainer Darren Weir faces a possible ban from racing in the nation’s two biggest states over his alleged involvement in a corruption and animal cruelty scandal.
Rival trainers have called for the sport’s authorities to review Weir's previous wins, including the famous Cup victory, in light of the probe into the 48-year-old.
Weir was hauled before Racing Victoria stewards today following his arrest on Wednesday during a police raid that allegedly uncovered four electronic shock devices known as jiggers in his stables, as well as an unlicensed firearm and a small amount of cocaine.
Racing NSW also issued a show cause notice today, raising the prospect of banning Weir from racing in the state for two years,
The chief executive of Racing NSW, Peter V’landys, said it was “critical that the image, interests and integrity of thoroughbred racing in NSW are not compromised while Mr Weir’s conduct is further investigated.”
Leading Victorian trainer Tom Dabernig said Weir’s previous wins should be looked at, including the 2015 Melbourne Cup.
“Occasionally longshots do get up though; it’s a very hard thing to accuse people,” Dabernig said today.
“But under these circumstances it would make you question some of the recent results over the last few years.”
Dabernig’s horse Criterion — which he trained with David Hayes — came third in the 2015 Melbourne Cup, behind Prince of Penzance, ridden by Michelle Payne, and the Willie Mullins-trained Max Dynamite.
Payne became the first female jockey to win the race. A movie about Payne, Ride Like A Girl, will be released this year.
She denied any knowledge of or involvement in illegal practices during her time training with Weir.
“No, I never witnessed or was aware of any illegal practices,” Payne said today.
“I haven’t been part of the stable for the past 18 months, since taking out my training licence and going separate ways from Darren Weir’s stables.”
Her brother, trainer Andrew Payne, said he was pleased that rumours about Weir’s alleged conduct as a trainer were being examined.
“There are a lot of frustrated trainers that would almost be ready to walk away if these rumours weren’t looked into,” he said.
“If someone had not been upholding the law then I’d say, on behalf of any trainer in the industry doing the right thing, this is what we’ve been waiting for. We would be over the moon if they’ve caught someone that’s not upholding the law.
“For people that are getting up working tirelessly day in, day out, this is what we’ve been waiting for.”
Daberning said he felt strongly about taking a stand for the rules and regulation of racing. “I think everyone within the industry was quite surprised when they heard the claims, it’s quite disappointing,” he said.
Activist group Coalition for the Protection of Race Horses today called for a nationwide inquiry into the sport and said the police investigation “brings into question” the 2015 Melbourne Cup run.
“The winner trained by Darren Weir had quite an ordinary racing record by Melbourne Cup standards leading into the Cup and certainly after,” the coalition’s spokesman Eliot Celotto said.
Racing Victoria said while it was unable to provide further detail on the investigation, authorities were not looking at the 2015 Melbourne Cup.
“A core responsibility of Racing Victoria is to protect the integrity of the sport and to enforce the Australian rules of racing, ensuring both a level playing field for all and the health and welfare of all horses competing in Victorian races, ” a spokesman said.
Racing NSW said using electronic devices such as jiggers, which are used to shock horses and make them run faster, carried a mandatory minimum of two years’ disqualification.
Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula said he backed Racing Victoria stewards to professionally handle the case.
NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel said if a trainer was guilty of using an electrical device in NSW, “we would review past wins of horses in that stable and look to see if there were any inconsistencies in those races”. Weir is Australia’s most successful horse trainer, holding a record of 491 wins and collecting more than $31 million in prizemoney last season.
Weir was arrested and released on Wednesday without charge.
He did not respond to questions from The Australian last night.
If you know more about this story please contact remy.varga@theaustralian.
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