Leading trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman have been charged by Racing Victoria stewards following an investigation into alleged race-day treatment breaches involving two of their runners in August.
Warrnambool trainer Tom Dabernig has also been charged after one of his horses, Ashford Street, returned a positive swab to multiple prohibited substances following its run in the 2024 Millennium Sprint at Caulfield.
Racing Victoria said the charges against the Freedman stable stem from an unannounced race-morning inspection at their Cranbourne training base, where filly Kira was observed receiving treatment via a nebuliser. The use of a nebuliser is prohibited on race day unless prior approval is granted by stewards.
Further inquiries revealed that Moonhaven had also been treated with a nebuliser on the same morning. Both horses were subsequently scratched from their respective races at Caulfield on stewards’ orders.
Under the Australian Rules of Racing, the administration of any medication to a horse on race day prior to competing is banned unless specifically authorised by stewards.
Racing Victoria has also alleged additional breaches relating to treatment records at the Freedman stable, claiming medications or treatments administered to Moonhaven and Kira between July 1 and August 15, 2025, were not properly recorded.
At the time of the initial inquiry, the Freedman stable acknowledged the issue, describing the treatments as inadvertent.
“An oversight occurred within the stable for which we take full responsibility,” the stable said in a statement issued in August. “We are committed to working openly and cooperatively with the Racing Victoria stewards as they conduct their inquiry.”
In a separate matter, Racing Victoria confirmed that Dabernig has been charged after analysis of a race-day urine sample taken from Ashford Street detected the presence of testosterone, formestane and 4-hydroxytestosterone — all prohibited substances under the Rules of Racing.
The charges against the Freedmans and Dabernig have been referred to the Victorian Racing Tribunal. Hearing dates are yet to be determined.
