The Australian Turf Club has sacked two employees at the centre of a Sydney racing betting scandal.
After they received hefty Racing NSW disqualifications for breaching the Australian rules of racing for placing bets on race days, racing clerk Shaun Lyall and betting services manager Murray Conallin have parted ways with the ATC.
Racing NSW stewards disqualified Lyall for two years and Conallin for 18 months on Monday following an inquiry into their wagering activities.
ATC hierarchy met with Lyall and Conallin on Tuesday before terminating their employment.
Over 12 months of betting, Lyall was found to have placed 291 bets on races on which he officiated during the course of his duties as a judge, assistant to the judge or as an assistant to the clerk of scales.
Conallin was found to have made or shared in 71 bets over 20 months when he was officiating as a judge or assistant to the judge.
Stewards examined all photo finishes of ATC races on which the pair officiated and in which they had wagered and were satisfied with the accuracy of the judges’ decisions.
“Integrity is the golden thread that holds racing together and we at the ATC, along with all in the industry, are beholden to the rules of racing,” ATC chief executive Darren Pearce said in a statement.
“Whilst there is no suggestion that the actions of the two employees compromised in any way the results of any race, and they have assured the club there was no intent to do so, the rules are clear, as are ATC contracts and policies.”
