Shock footage of Darren Weir using jigger emerges

Racing Victoria has issued a strong condemnation of banned trainer Darren Weir after historic footage emerged showing him using an electronic device, known as a jigger, on three horses in his care back in 2018.

The video, released publicly for the first time outside a courtroom on Friday, depicts Weir using the device on Tosen Basil, Yogi and Red Cardinal. The vision has reignited anger within the industry.

In a statement, Racing Victoria said: “We strongly condemn the conduct depicted in this 2018 vision, as do the thousands of hardworking individuals in our industry who provide amazing care to their horses day in, day out. This is why the stewards issued serious charges against Darren Weir and his associates for their conduct, which ultimately saw them face disciplinary action. The independent Victorian Racing Tribunal disqualified the three individuals in this video for their actions.”

Weir remains a disqualified person until September 2026 following the failure of his Supreme Court appeal against the terms of his most recent two-year ban. That penalty was imposed by the Victorian Racing Tribunal in July 2024 after he was found guilty of animal cruelty offences.

The latest ruling prevents Weir from resuming his unlicensed pre-training operation at Baringhup or applying for a trainer’s licence until at least September 2026. He had already served a four-year disqualification between 2019 and 2023 for possession of an electronic device.

In addition, Weir was fined $36,000 in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court in 2022 after pleading guilty to animal cruelty charges. Former stable lieutenant Jarrod McLean and ex-stablehand Tyson Kermond also pleaded guilty to three charges each of animal cruelty in the same court.

The footage serves as a reminder of why Racing Victoria has maintained a zero-tolerance stance on the mistreatment of horses and reinforced its commitment to animal welfare within the sport.