Former champion trainer Darren Weir charged with animal cruelty and conspiracy

Disgraced trainer Darren Weir was charged on Wednesday with a string of animal cruelty and conspiracy offences including multiple counts of engaging in torturing, abusing, overworking and terrifying a thoroughbred race horse.

Weir, 49, was banned for four years by Racing Victoria officials in February following the discovery of three jiggers – illegal devices used to give horses electric shocks during training – and an unregistered firearm in a bedroom during raids at his properties in Ballarat and Warrnambool in January.

One of the most successful trainers in Australia, whose big-race victories include the 2015 Melbourne Cup with Prince Of Penzance – the 100-1 shot ridden by Michelle Payne, Weir was also charged with conspiracy to defraud Racing Victoria stewards and causing unreasonable pain or suffering to a racehorse.

Prince Of Penzance and Michelle Payne land the 2015 Melbourne CupCredit: Robert Cianflone

Weir, who at one time ran the largest stable in Australia with over 600 horses under his care, was charged alongside three other men, including his former stablehand Jarrod McLean, now a Group 1-winning trainer in his own right.

McLean, 38, is facing 16 charges including conduct that corrupts betting outcomes, animal cruelty and possessing cocaine. He has been ordered by Racing Victoria to attend a hearing in Melbourne on Tuesday along with two registered stable employees.

Giles Thompson, Racing Victoria chief executive, said in a statement: “The core responsibility of Racing Victoria is to protect the integrity of the sport and to enforce the Australian rules of racing, ensuring both a level playing field for all and the health and welfare of horses competing in Victorian races. This is a responsibility that we take very seriously.

“These are serious charges and the nature of the alleged conduct described within the charges is distressing to all within the racing industry, as well as the general community.

“Upon the issuing of charges today, our stewards have immediately opened inquiries and ordered three persons to attend tomorrow afternoon to answer questions in relation to the charges. Those inquiries will dictate our next steps.”

A police media spokeswoman said the charges were "part of an investigation into alleged illegal activity within the thoroughbred racing industry". All four men are due to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on October 23.

According to reports in the The Age, two races are also under scrutiny from racing officials and police from the Victoria Police Sporting Integrity Unit involving horses trained by Weir and McLean.

These include the Grade 1 Mackinnon Stakes in which detectives are looking into the alleged unorthodox whip action used on the McLean-trained Trap For Fools, who defeated Latrobe, believing it was intended to simulate the effect of a jigger.

Jockey John Allen has not been charged with any offence and has not been accused of any wrongdoing. He did not comment on the case.

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