Racing identities adversely named in Murrihy report warned off Tasmanian racetracks

Several harness racers have been banned from Tasmanian race tracks after the release of the long awaited Murrihy Report.

Tasracing chair Gene Phair and Racing Minister Felix Ellis speak to the media at the Executive Building in Hobart on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

Tasracing has banned those adversely named in the Murrihy Report into the harness racing industry from attending Tasmanian racetracks — including the state’s top trainer Ben Yole.

Tasracing has served formal notices to multiple racing industry participants of an immediate ban from all venues controlled by Tasracing in Tasmania, Tasracing CEO Andrew Jenkins said.

“Tasracing is satisfied it has the grounds on which to make this decision under the Racing Regulation Act 2004, based on the serious allegations and subsequent findings made by Mr Murrihy and detailed in his report into the handling of matters by the Office of Racing Integrity,” he said.

“The named participants have a show cause period to provide evidence why the notice should be rescinded.”

Tasracing chair Gene Phair and Racing Minister Felix Ellis speak to the media at the Executive Building in Hobart on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

Former NSW Chief Steward Ray Murrihy was commissioned to investigate media reports of team driving, race fixing and animal cruelty by the industry’s dominant trainer Ben Yole.

He found evidence to support claims of race fixing, team running and animal cruelty.

The government has pledged to abolish the Office of Racing Integrity and replace it with a new Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner.

And a panel of interstate stewards will hold an inquiry into Mr Yole, who was found to have breached multiple rules of racing.

Racing Minister Felix Ellis backed the bans.

“I welcome Tasracing’s decision to prevent individuals named in the Murrihy report from entering our venues,” he said.

“Under our new model which abolishes the Office of Racing Integrity, Tasracing will have a much greater role to play in the day-to-day integrity decisions of racing.

“These actions are a clear demonstration that Tasracing is highly capable of this and is taking this new responsibility seriously.

“I have also appreciated their proactive response more broadly, allocating an additional $150,000 to training stewards and $100,000 for RSPCA animal welfare inspections.

“Hearings by the independent panel of stewards will continue to determine broader sanctions and charges as appropriate,” Minister Ellis said.

Labor’s racing spokesman Dean Winter said Mr Ellis had been totally embarrassed by TasRacing.

“TasRacing made the right decision and I welcome it,” he said.

“Only yesterday, Minister Ellis was telling the media we need ‘due process’.

“Then his TasRacing Board and CEO went over his head and banned Mr Yole and his accomplices.

“TasRacing had the report for a day, and quickly realised what needed to be done.

“Minister Ellis had the report for two months, and didn’t do anything.”