More Penalties Over Horse Dealing

Trainer Brent Stanley has been handed down a nine month suspension from training over his involvement in the sale of a horse to Hong Kong. In similar circumstances to the recent Lil Caesar case, Stanley was found guilty of a charge relating to dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent, improper or dishonourable practice, in that he retained a share of the sale price unbeknownst to the owners. The horse in question, Equita (Aus) (Equiano {Fr}) was sold to Hong Kong in May of last year for an alleged figure of A$200,000 when in fact the actual sale price was A$290,000. From this price both Stanley and Glyn Schofield, who brokered the deal, each received commission of A$20,000. Stanley then instructed the balance of A$250,000 be paid into his wife's account from where he distributed A$200,000 to the shareholders of the horse.

Stanley's counsel Phil Dunn told the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board, that the trainer's company Cloud 9 Thoroughbreds was under financial pressure and Stanley had made a wrong decision in pocketing A$70,000, but he had since made full disclosure to the owners and repaid all the money.”He has been publicly shamed and his reputation has suffered,” said Dunn. On the same day jockey Glyn Schofield was hit with a A$50,000 fine for his involvement. He had pleaded guilty to the trading of bloodstock without the written permission of the governing body, in this case Racing Victoria. Schofield claimed to be unaware of the rule that prevented a licensed jockey from profiting from a bloodstock transaction and the fine follows his A$20,000 penalty incurred from his involvement in the Lil Caesar case.