Gingernags
Well-Known Member
From the Racing Post by David Carr...
RICHARD GUEST is likely to be allowed to continue as a trainer despite being conditionally discharged for two years yesterday after he admitted animal cruelty following the death of a horse.
However, he could face a fine, as the Horseracing Regulatory Authority is to hold a hearing into the fate of winning hurdler Whats A Filly, who was put down after developing a severe infection in her near hind leg.
Guest admitted a charge of permitting the mare to suffer unnecessarily by failing to exercise reasonable care and supervision. Head grooms Richard Dalton, 41 and Louise Tidman, 34, admitted omitting to provide veterinary care.
Deputy district judge Mary Hayes conditionally discharged all three defendants for two years. She ordered Guest to pay £4,730 costs, but declined to make an order to the horses joint-owners for compensation.
She said she had considered a community punishment but felt mitigating evidence that the yard was well-run made her think again.
I do not find there was any callous disregard for the welfare of that animal, she said. There is nothing to suggest that.
A conditional discharge means that as long as a defendant does not reoffend within the period of the discharge, no further action will be taken.
Paul Struthers, PR manager for the HRA, said: We will obtain a certificate of conviction from the court and once thats been received, our disciplinary department will decide whether they need to convene a hearing - although its almost certain there will be one.
Given the comments of the deputy district judge, such a hearing is likely to result in a financial penalty as opposed to the withdrawal of Richard Guests licence.
Whats A Filly fell at Uttoxeter in July last year and was making a slow recovery at Guests County Durham yard but, when her owners moved her to another yard near York, vets there found she had a severe infection that was impossible to treat. The court heard that there was no option but to have her put down.
The court was told that the case has had a devastating effect on Guest and that since he was summonsed he has lost control of the Brancepeth Manor Farm stables, where all three defendants reside.
Keith Thomas, for the defence, told Durham magistrates court: Richard Guest has lost his business. While he is still training - he had a winner last week - he is now in a position of an employed trainer.
Justin Lemasurier, chief inspector for the RSPCA, who brought the case, said outside court: It is a cursory and salutary lesson for anybody in the business of managing horses on behalf of others. There have been some very hard lessons learnt.
John Grayshon, joint-owner of the mare with Peter Goldie, said the partners will now take legal advice about compensation.
He said: Justice has been done to a point. Its just unfortunate that she died because I think she could have been good.
Former trainer Kamil Mahdi was warned off in September 2003 for ten years over cruelty charges, having been convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to five horses in another case brought by the RSPCA. Mick Quinn had a three-year ban reduced to 18 months on appeal in 2001 after the Jockey Club found him to have neglected three horses.
RICHARD GUEST is likely to be allowed to continue as a trainer despite being conditionally discharged for two years yesterday after he admitted animal cruelty following the death of a horse.
However, he could face a fine, as the Horseracing Regulatory Authority is to hold a hearing into the fate of winning hurdler Whats A Filly, who was put down after developing a severe infection in her near hind leg.
Guest admitted a charge of permitting the mare to suffer unnecessarily by failing to exercise reasonable care and supervision. Head grooms Richard Dalton, 41 and Louise Tidman, 34, admitted omitting to provide veterinary care.
Deputy district judge Mary Hayes conditionally discharged all three defendants for two years. She ordered Guest to pay £4,730 costs, but declined to make an order to the horses joint-owners for compensation.
She said she had considered a community punishment but felt mitigating evidence that the yard was well-run made her think again.
I do not find there was any callous disregard for the welfare of that animal, she said. There is nothing to suggest that.
A conditional discharge means that as long as a defendant does not reoffend within the period of the discharge, no further action will be taken.
Paul Struthers, PR manager for the HRA, said: We will obtain a certificate of conviction from the court and once thats been received, our disciplinary department will decide whether they need to convene a hearing - although its almost certain there will be one.
Given the comments of the deputy district judge, such a hearing is likely to result in a financial penalty as opposed to the withdrawal of Richard Guests licence.
Whats A Filly fell at Uttoxeter in July last year and was making a slow recovery at Guests County Durham yard but, when her owners moved her to another yard near York, vets there found she had a severe infection that was impossible to treat. The court heard that there was no option but to have her put down.
The court was told that the case has had a devastating effect on Guest and that since he was summonsed he has lost control of the Brancepeth Manor Farm stables, where all three defendants reside.
Keith Thomas, for the defence, told Durham magistrates court: Richard Guest has lost his business. While he is still training - he had a winner last week - he is now in a position of an employed trainer.
Justin Lemasurier, chief inspector for the RSPCA, who brought the case, said outside court: It is a cursory and salutary lesson for anybody in the business of managing horses on behalf of others. There have been some very hard lessons learnt.
John Grayshon, joint-owner of the mare with Peter Goldie, said the partners will now take legal advice about compensation.
He said: Justice has been done to a point. Its just unfortunate that she died because I think she could have been good.
Former trainer Kamil Mahdi was warned off in September 2003 for ten years over cruelty charges, having been convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to five horses in another case brought by the RSPCA. Mick Quinn had a three-year ban reduced to 18 months on appeal in 2001 after the Jockey Club found him to have neglected three horses.