DARREN WEIR'S POSSIBLE RETURN TO RACING STILL HANGS UNDER A CLOUD

By Graham Potter | Friday, February 3, 2023

Former Champion trainer Darren Weir’s four-year disqualification period is nearly at an end ... but any future return to participation within the industry on his part is still uncertain.

The suspension officially ends at midnight on February 6, but Weir’s path beyond that, should he want to return to a licensed position, is still very much in the hands of the Racing Victoria Stewards who have again recently confirmed that Weir is currently subject to a further investigation which is on-going at this time.

This latest investigation came about after new evidence was introduced in a court case in the Warrnambool Magistrate’s Court in December where Weir pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges for which he was fined $36 000.

This new inquiry also extends to former trainer Jarrod McLean, former jockey William Hernan and former stable-hand Tyson Kermond.

A recent Racing Victoria media release reads: ‘As communicated in December, the stewards reactivated their existing inquiry into Weir, McLean, Kermond and Hernan after further evidence was presented in open court on 14 December. That process is ongoing, with the stewards to follow any line of inquiry they feel appropriate. We will have more to say about the inquiry in due course.

‘We don't intend to provide a running commentary on whether Mr Weir is seeking to be relicensed or not. If and when an application is made by a disqualified person seeking to be relicensed, it will be subjected to RV's normal licensing procedures and considered by RV's licensing panel and the (RV) Board, in accordance with its usual processes.’

‘As part of this process, a disqualified person is also required to show cause as to why they should be relicensed. This is a robust process that takes into account many factors, including whether the individual is considered suitable to hold a trainer's licence in Victoria."

Clearly, there is still plenty to play out here.

**Weir was originally disqualified on February 6, 2019 as per the following Racing Victoria steward’s which was released on that day:

‘The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board today disqualified trainer Darren Weir for a period of four years for four breaches of the Australian Rules of Racing (AR).

‘Mr Weir was found guilty by the RAD Board of three charges of possessing an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting the performance of a horse, and one charge of conduct prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing.’