Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
What are you prepared to lose today?
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 
Image: Steve Hart

Trainer Ben Smith has been found guilty of all charges against him relating to elevated cobalt levels, race day treatments and giving false evidence to stewards.

Smith trained two Group One winners in the autumn of 2018 – In Her Time (Galaxy) and El Dorado Dreaming (ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes) – but by the spring his career was in tatters.

Stewards raided his Newcastle stable on September 11, 2018, after swab results from two horses showed higher than allowed levels of cobalt.

During their investigation, stewards found several unlabelled products in Smith’s vehicle and his residence but the trainer declined to say where he got them.

He also said the products found in his vehicle did not belong to him.

Stewards stood Smith down on that day after charging him with giving false evidence and many of his horses, including In Her Time and El Dorado Dreaming, were transferred to neighbouring trainer Kris Lees.

In February, Smith admitted he got the substances from licensed harness racing trainer Neil Costello who was subsequently warned off for failing to name his source.

When the inquiry resumed in April, Smith said the only explanation for the elevated cobalt levels returned by Iron Duke and Elaborate in August was that he had increased his use of supplements containing cobalt, admitting he did so without veterinary advice.

On Monday, Racing NSW stewards announced Smith had been found guilty of 10 charges.

Stablehand Emma Bickley has been found guilty of failing to attend a stewards inquiry, giving false evidence and administering medication on race day.

Smith’s brother, stablehand Daniel Smith, has also been found guilty of failing to front stewards and aiding, abetting and conspiring with Bickley to administer a substance on race day.

Bickley and Daniel Smith did not enter pleas to the charges and stewards will decide their penalties on May 28.

Smith’s penalty hearing will be held on June 11.

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
What are you prepared to lose today?
Set a deposit limit.
Tags:
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
What are you prepared to lose today?
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au