Henry Plumptre has pleaded guilty to Racing NSW stewards
Godolphin’s former Australian boss Henry Plumptre is hoping to salvage a career as a bloodstock agent after admitting his fault in the strangles case.
Counsel for Plumptre, Peter Braham, asked Racing NSW stewards on Friday to impose a reprimand and a fine rather than a ban for Plumptre who has pleaded guilty to not informing authorities of a case of strangles in the stables last year.
Plumptre read a statement at Friday’s inquiry accepting responsibility for not reporting the case in August 2016, saying he was under pressure at the time dealing with a serious bullying issue at Godolphin’s Osborne Park facility.
Ex Godolphin trainer John O’Shea has pleaded not guilty to the same charge and also not guilty to giving false evidence at the original inquiry in June regarding the horse Polemic who tested positive for strangles.
“In considering penalty I would like you to consider my 40 years in the thoroughbred industry,” Plumptre said.
“At the time of the Polemic incident I was dealing with a serious bullying issue at Osborne Park.
“I noticed there was a strong reluctance from the training team to report it (strangles) and I agreed to monitor the colt.
“At the time did I consider the bullying issue to be of more importance? The answer would be yes and I acknowledge that would be wrong. It’s of great disappointment to me that I failed in this instance.”
“I have breached a rule of racing. It is a matter of great disappointment I failed in this instance.”
Plumptre’s submission on penalty included three references from owner Lloyd Williams, trainer Chris Waller and Hong Kong Jockey Club boss Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.
He resigned his position with Godolphin last week, saying the integrity of the Godolphin brand was of utmost importance and he apologised for breaching the trust of the racing industry as a whole.
“I aim to restore that trust when I return to my former role as a bloodstock agent,” Plumptre said.
