By Daithi Harvey
Group 1 winning trainer Ciaron Maher and his former racing manager Ben Connolly have been charged with a number of offences related to being prejudicial to the image of racing. The offences surround the actual ownership of five horses that are trained by Maher, including Azkadellia (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}) who won the G1 Coolmore Legacy S. last year but who is currently banned from racing over the investigation into her allegedly being owned by notorious con-man Peter Foster, despite running under the name of Ben Connolly. Racing Victoria announced on Monday that stewards had issued two charges against Connolly and four charges against Maher. The stewards allege, amongst other things, that Maher knew, suspected or ought to have known, at certain times, that Connolly was not the beneficial owner of the horses. Further, the stewards allege that Maher, in those circumstances, took no steps, including to notify the stewards of his knowledge or suspicions regarding the ownership of the horses. The charges against Maher and Connolly will be heard by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board on a date to be fixed.
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