Darren Weir arrest: jiggers, cocaine found in stable raids

Raids on star trainer Darren Weir’s stables have allegedly uncovered electric shock devices, an unlicensed firearm and cocaine.

Police allegedly uncovered jiggers, cocaine and unlicenced firearms at the stables of star trainer Darren Weir. Picture: AAP/Supplied

Darren Weir, as well as two other trainers, have been released without charge pending further inquiries after police — with the assistance of the AFP — raided the star trainer’s stables this morning.

The raids allegedly uncovered four electric shock devices known as “jiggers”, an unlicensed firearm and cocaine.

Police said this morning’s raids at Weir’s facilities in Warrnambool and Ballarat were part of integrity investigation that began in August.

Police at Darren Weir’s stables in Victoria. Picture: AAP

Weir and two other men were arrested this morning.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Paterson said the complex investigation stretched back to August last year and involved allegations of corruption in sport.

Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police are raid the Ballarat stables of Darren Weir. Picture: Josh Fagan.

Jiggers are electronic devices used in training to make horses run faster.

Police said there may be video of horses being shocked, however they did not have it.

“I have heard that there may be footage in the public arena … of jiggers being used,” Mr Paterson said, appealing for people with information to come forward.

Racing Victoria CEO Giles Thompson said stewards, who are responsible for deciding disciplinary action, had assessed no action should yet be taken against Weir and the two other licensed trainers.

Victorian Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Paterson and Giles Thompson, CEO of Racing Victoria. Picture: Ian Currie

“They will assess all of the information at their disposal and make that determination. Their determination at the moment is that there is no action to be taken.” he said.

The investigation was started by Racing Victoria who enlisted the help of police.

Mr Thompson refused to identify the parties involved, other than to confirm each is a licensed participant in the state’s racing industry.

“Racing Victoria’s primary objective is to protect the integrity of the sport … and ensure a level playing field for all,” he said.

Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula said he found the alleged breaches to be “extremely disappointing”.

Darren Weir Racing at Miners Rest was raided by AFP and Vic Police this morning. Picture: Pic Ian Wilson

“As Minister for Racing and a racing lover, I’m committed to maintaining the integrity of our sport and any allegations of breaches are extremely disappointing,” Mr Pakula said.

“This investigation demonstrates that integrity officials of Racing Victoria will enforce the rules of racing without fear or favour.

“As the matter is subject to an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and Racing Victoria, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Weir is Australia’s most successful horse trainers and collected more that $31 million in prize money last season with a Commonwealth record of 491 wins.

He leads Winx’s trainer Chris Waller by almost 90 wins in this season’s national trainer’s premiership.

He has five horses racing on Wednesday afternoon.

Weir took out his trainer’s licence in 1995, evolving from a one-horse operator to a Melbourne Cup-winning trainer with Prince Of Penzance in 2015.

Previously based in Stawell, Weir has won the past five Victorian metropolitan premierships.

Additional reporting: Jessica Cortis, Rachel Baxendale

With AAP