Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir pleaded guilty to seven charges in a tribunal hearing concerning the use of a jigger on his former racehorses.
Weir’s defense entered not guilty pleas on charges related to race outcome corruption but admitted guilt on welfare and conduct charges.
CCTV footage displayed Weir using the device on three horses, aided by stable foreman Jarrod McLean and stablehand Tyson Kermond.
Weir justified his actions as an attempt to enhance the horses’ fitness and performance, expressing discomfort with the method’s ineffectiveness.
Barrister Damian Sheales, representing McLean and Kermond, pleaded guilty for his clients on aiding and abetting charges.
Former RV Chairman of Stewards Robert Cram provided evidence during the hearing, expected to continue on Tuesday.
WEIR’S CHARGES:
Charges (1-3): AR 229(1)(b) relating to Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil, Yogi
(1) A person must not:
(b) engage in conduct that corrupts the outcome of a race or is intended to corrupt
the outcome of a race, where;
(i) conduct “corrupts the outcome of a race” if it:
(A) affects or, if engaged in, would be likely to affect the outcome
of any race; and
(B) is contrary to the standards of integrity that a reasonable
person would expect of persons in a position to affect the
outcome of a race;
(ii) “conduct” means an act or an omission to perform an act;
(iii) “engage in conduct” means:
(A) do an act; or
(B) omit to perform an act, and
(iv) “outcome” includes any result
Charges (4-6): AR 231(2)(a) relating to Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil, Yogi
(2) A person must not:
(a) use, or attempt to use, any electric or electronic apparatus or other device
capable of affecting the performance of a horse in a race, official trial, jumpout
or training gallop;
Charges (7-9): AR 231(1)(a) relating to Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil, Yogi
(1) A person must not:
(a) commit or commission an act of cruelty to a horse, or be in possession of any
article or thing which, in the opinion of the Stewards, is capable of inflicting
cruelty to a horse;
Charge (10): AR 229(1)(a)
(1) A person must not:
(a) engage in any dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent, improper or dishonourable
action or practice in connection with racing;
