Trainer faces another ban after another animal cruelty decision

The Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) has ruled that horse trainer Darren Weir should be banned for another two years for animal cruelty. The ban stems from the use of jiggers on three of his horses–Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil, and Yogi–back in 2018.  
 
Weir had previously been issued an 18 month ban for a separate incident of animal cruelty involving a jigger in October 2019. That ban ended in February 2023.  

VRT issues another ban 

Following his first ban, another incident of Darren Weir using a jigger was discovered. He was subsequently charged with another set of animal cruelty charges. The VRT ruled on these charges on Friday.  
 
After hearing the case of Weir using a jigger on three horses, the VRT decided to issue another two-year ban for animal cruelty. 
 
Racing Victoria Chairman Tim Eddy said after the ruling: “Darren Weir, Jarrod McLean and Tyson Kermond’s conduct struck at the heart of the two pillars upon which the horse racing industry stands; animal welfare and integrity. 
 
“The industry’s social licence depends upon the reality and the perception that racehorses are not mistreated, and that races are conducted on an even playing field without contraventions of the Rules of Racing. 
 
“The actions of the individuals in this case not only severely damaged racing’s reputation, but also tarnished the image of hard-working, rule-abiding individuals in our industry who devote their lives to the horses and act for the betterment of the sport. 
 
“Judge Bowman today described their conduct as abhorrent and deserving of condemnation. We wholeheartedly agree. There is absolutely no place for jiggers in horse racing. 
 
“Acts of cruelty on horses deserve widespread condemnation and perpetrators to be penalised. The community expects no less of racing. Yogi, Tosen Basil and Red Cardinal deserved no less.” 

Weir punished for use of jiggers 

Both of Weir’s two bans in the last five years have stemmed from the use of jiggers. In other words, electric shock devices.  
 
Weir was caught on CCTV in 2019 using both a plastic tube and electric shock device on his horses.  
 
The conduct was so severe that Racing Victoria had advocated for a 10-year racing ban. In the end, the VRT felt two years was enough. 

Weir’s future in racing 

While Darren Weir’s first ban ended in February 2023, he has not secured a trainer’s licence since the end of his first ban.  
 
He has not been operating as a trainer. However, he has run a pre-training operation at Trevenson Park.  
 
The latest ruling against Weir means he will also have to give up his pre-training activities.