Thoroughbred Stewards Inquiry – Trainer Ms Nicole Glenn & Owner Mr A Glenn
Racing and Wagering Western Australia’s (RWWA) Stewards have completed the adjourned inquiry into the condition and welfare of several horses at a property under the control of licensed Trainer Ms. Nicole Glenn, as reported by the RWWA Industry Veterinarian and Investigators following an inspection conducted on 18 November 2019.
The inquiry was conducted over numerous sittings, some of which Ms Glenn was also assisted by legal counsel.
Having previously found Ms Glenn guilty to the following charges, the Stewards have now concluded the matter and determined the penalties as indicated below:
Charge 1- AR231 (1) (b) (i), which states:
(1) A person must not:
(b) if the person is in charge of a horse – fail at any time:
(i) to exercise reasonable care, control or supervision of the horse so as to prevent an act of cruelty to the horse;
Particulars (summarised):
Related to failing to exercise reasonable supervision of the mare DANE ESPRIT to prevent an act of cruelty, by failing to detect that it had grass seeds embedded in its mouth to an extent whereby severe ulceration to its gums and lips was present.
Penalty Imposed: 12 months disqualification.
Charge 2- AR AR231 (1) (b) (i):
Particulars (summarised):
Related to failing to exercise reasonable supervision of the mare PINJARRA PRINCESS, to prevent an act of cruelty, by failing to detect that it had grass seeds embedded in its mouth to an extent whereby mild to moderate ulceration to its gums and lip was present.
Penalty Imposed: 12 months disqualification.
Charge 3- AR AR231 (1) (b) (i):
Particulars (summarised):
Related to failing to exercise reasonable supervision of the mare REAL SCREAMER, to prevent an act of cruelty, by failing to monitor the mare on a regular basis to prevent it from having grass seeds embedded in its mouth.
Penalty Imposed: 9 months disqualification.
Charge 4- ARR 231 (1) (b) (iv), which states:
(1) A person must not:
(b) if the person is in charge of a horse – fail at any time:
(iv) to provide proper and sufficient nutrition.
Particulars (summarised):
That as the person in charge of DANE ESPRIT, Ms Glenn failed to provide proper and sufficient nutrition for the mare resulting in the horse losing body weight, leading to it being found in an unacceptable body condition upon assessment by the RWWA Industry Veterinarian when examined at her property on 6 November 2019.
Penalty Imposed: 18 months disqualification.
Charge 5- AR 231 (1) (b) (iv)
Particulars (summarised):
That as the person in charge of PINJARRA PRINCESS, Ms Glenn failed to provide proper and sufficient nutrition for the mare resulting in it losing body weight, leading to it being found in an unacceptable body condition upon assessment by the RWWA Industry Veterinarian when examined at her property on 6 November 2019.
Penalty Imposed: 18 months disqualification.
Charge 6- AR 231 (1) (b) (iv)
Particulars (summarised):
That as the person in charge of REAL SCREAMER, Ms Glenn failed to provide proper and sufficient nutrition for the mare resulting in it losing body weight, leading to it being found in an unacceptable body condition upon assessment by the RWWA Industry Veterinarian when examined at her property on 6 November 2019.
Penalty Imposed: 15 months disqualification.
All of the above penalties were ordered to be served concurrently and backdated to 9 November 2019, being the date Ms Glenn’s licence was suspended under the provisions of LR 22 pending the outcome of the inquiry. Accordingly, Ms Glenn will serve a total period of disqualification of eighteen (18) months with such penalty expiring 9 May 2021.
When assessing penalty, Stewards took into account the following factors:
- The seriousness of the offences
- The need for specific and general deterrence
- Ms Glenn’s prior good record
- The racing industry’s demonstrated record of high standards in animal welfare and unwavering commitment to manifestly maintaining such standards
- Previous penalties issued in relation to welfare related matters
Mr Anthony Glenn was found guilty to a charge of misconduct under ARR 228, with the particulars being:
Particulars (summarised):
That he performed the procedure of castration of an unnamed thoroughbred horse at his property in Badgingarra without the use of local anaesthesia, and whilst not being qualified or having authority to do so.
Penalty Imposed: Six (6) months disqualification effective immediately.
In assessing penalty, Stewards considered the following factors:
- The need for the penalty to reflect the seriousness of the circumstances.
- The need for matters of animal welfare to be given the highest of priority by industry at all times.
- Mr Glenn’s prior good record.