Thoroughbred & Harness Stewards Inquiry Trainer Mr Greg Kersley
RWWA Stewards today concluded an inquiry conducted into a report received from RWWA Senior Investigative Steward, Mr Paul Criddle in relation to the condition of the thoroughbred horse MAGIC ROCKET and standardbred horse THREESTONES.
The inquiry commenced on Wednesday, 9 January, 2019 with evidence being taken from Mr Greg Kersley and was adjourned until Monday, 14 January, 2019 to allow him to present further material. After all the evidence was presented, Mr Kersley pleaded guilty to the following two charges under the Thoroughbred and Harness Rules of Racing:
Charge 1:
AR.175. The Principal Racing Authority (or the Stewards exercising powers delegated to them) may penalise;
(o) Any person in charge of a horse who in their opinion fails at any time –
(iv) to provide proper and sufficient nutrition for a horse.
Particulars of the charge: AR 175 (o) (iv) Mr Kersley, as the person in charge of MAGIC ROCKET failed in his responsibility as the owner to provide proper and sufficient nutrition, for a period of in excess of two months, leading up to when it was examined by Dr N Hodgson on 27 June, 2018 resulting in it having a very poor body condition.
Charge 2:
HR. 218. A person having responsibility for the welfare of a hose shall not fail to care for it properly.
Particulars of the charge: Mr Kersley as the person responsible for the welfare of THREESTONES failed to care for it properly by not providing adequate nutrition for a period in excess of two months, resulting in it being found in very poor body condition when examined by Dr N Hodgson on 27 June, 2018.
Following Mr Kersley’s guilty pleas the inquiry was adjourned by the Stewards to consider the matter of penalty. Mr Kersley was advised today that periods of disqualification of 12 months had been imposed for both offences to be served concurrently.
That the commencement date for the total period of 12 months disqualification be backdated to commence as of 2 July, 2018 to take into account that period of time that Mr Kersley had been suspended since 2 July, 2018 pursuant to LR10 and HR183 pending the outcome of the inquiry, so that the total period of disqualification expires on 2 July, 2019.
In considering penalty Stewards took into account:
- Mr Kersley’s guilty plea and his personal circumstances
- Previous penalties issued for animal welfare related cases
- The seriousness of the matter and the need for deterrence to reinforce and maintain the high standards of animal welfare that apply within the industry as a whole
- His prior good record under these particular rules over a considerable period of time