‘It’s tragic’: How the Weir raids rocked a racing community

Australian Federal Police raided the 48-year-old's stables in Miners Rest and Warrnambool early on Wednesday.

HOW MINERS REST REACTED 

The small township of Miners Rest was in shock on Wednesday after word spread of the raid at Darren Weir’s stable bordering the Ballarat Racecourse.

The prevailing statement among numerous people and business owners in the area was “no comment” at the news of the raid came to light just before 7am.

A racehorse owner of more than 10 years, who wished not to be named but has multiple horses in the Weir stable, said it was something you didn’t wish to see.

“You hope something never happens, but there’s always the fear that it might,” he said.

“There’s a lot of talk around we’re not sure what’s happening at the moment.”

One businesses owner, who did not wish to be named, said racing played an important part in the town and had become the main industry in Miners Rest.

The business owner said racing was a major employer and was helping the township – and the entire region – grow.

Another business said they had heard “something was happening” up at the stables, but did not know any details.

Another said the first they knew about something going on was when they heard the news first thing in the morning.

Cr Grant Tillett described the whole situation as “tragic”.

“Whichever way it turns out it’s tragic,” he said. 

“Nobody knows at the moment except the investigators what the result will be.”

Cr Tillett said Darren Weir’s influence in Ballarat went far beyond the track and he had put local racing on the map.

“(The) benefit that he’s bringing to racing since he’s been in Ballarat and the employment benefits has been important in Ballarat, there’s no question about that,” Cr Tillett said.

“The significant thing is he hasn’t scratched his horses from Mornington today, and according to the TV, they haven’t scratched his horses at meetings between now and Sunday, there might 30 or 40 horses so I find that interesting.”

Darren Weir Racing Stables business manager Mick Leonard said it was business as usual.

“Our main aim is to ensure our owners are not disadvantaged by this process in any way, and accordingly it is business as usual in regards to the training and care of your horses,” he said in a statement.

Racing Minister Martin Pakula said he was committed to maintaining the integrity of the sport.

“Any allegations of breaches are extremely disappointing,” he said.

“This investigation demonstrates that integrity officials of Racing Victoria will enforce the rules of racing without fear or favour. As the matter is subject to investigation ... it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Attempts were also made to get comment from producers of the upcoming movie “Ride Like A Girl”, asking whether the raid would have any impact on the finished film. No comment was received before deadline.

MAJOR SYNDICATOR NOT READY TO JUMP SHIP

One of Darren Weir’s biggest supporters has declared his business will stick tight with the troubled trainer despite the shock news that broke on Wednesday morning.

Luke Murrell, one of the directors of major syndicator Australian Bloodstock, is backing in Weir, who trains a large team of about 50-60 of his horses.

Murrell admitted that some of his owners had expressed concerns about Wednesday’s developments, but said there wouldn’t be any drastic moves.

“For us, I’m happy to see how things play out before getting carried away,” he said.

“All our dealings with Darren have been impeccable and he’s the most honest and always-wants-to-help-you-type person that you’ll ever meet.”

Police confirmed they're investigating the use of electronic shock devices known as “jiggers” following the arrest of the Melbourne Cup-winning trainer and two other men.

Victoria Police said it seized a number of illegal items, including cocaine, an unregistered firearm and the “jiggers” as part of the early morning raid on Weir’s stables in Miners Rest and Warrnambool.

Media flocked to Weir’s Miners Rest base as police looked for evidence. Plain-clothed officers were seen inspecting the stables, including detailed searches of vehicles on the premises.

Murrell said Weir would be “the last person you’d suspect anything of”.

“So as far as the horse jiggers and that – I don’t think Darren would be silly enough that they would be his,” Murrell said.

“When you’ve got so many people that work for you, there’s bound to be one or two that probably aren’t as happy as they should be. It’s pretty easy to have a disgruntled staff member.

“Until you know all of the facts, I think it’s pretty ordinary all these people jumping up and down and wanting to label him. He’s the most successful trainer in Australia and everyone wants to now call him a cheat because of it. I think that’s just rubbish.”

Australian Bloodstock has enjoyed plenty of success, with some of its group 1 triumphs coming with Weir-trained horses such as Brave Smash and Tosen Stardom.

The syndicator’s biggest achievement was winning the 2014 Melbourne Cup with Protectionist, which was trained by Andreas Wöhler.

Australian Bloodstock’s next runner with Weir is Calibration, which is accepted for a race at Caulfield on Saturday. The horse is to run in the Ladbrokes Handicap (2000m) for jockey Craig Williams.

Watch the police press conference here.

MCKENZIE SHOCKED BY RAIDS

Ballarat Turf Club chief executive Lachlan McKenzie said he was shocked and surprised by the developments at Darren Weir’s stables on Wednesday morning.

McKenzie said the club didn’t have any involvement with the police raids.

Later in the day he told racing.com that the BTC “fully endorse any action from Racing Victoria if the rules of racing have been broken”.

“I just hope this gets wrapped up quickly and if Darren has done the wrong thing he will be dealt with appropriately,” he said.

Weir has been integral in building the stature of the club’s training base and regularly praises its facilities, including the uphill galloping track.

Many other trainers have since joined the Miners Rest precinct on the back of his overwhelming success.

Part of his Miners Rest stable complex is on BTC land, while part is on his own private property.

Dan O’Sullivan trains next door to Weir but didn’t wish to comment on the events of Wednesday morning.

NO SIGN OF SCRATCHINGS

Racing Victoria stewards are yet to place any bans on Darren Weir-trained horses despite the arrest of the high-profile trainer on Wednesday.

Just hours after his stables in Miners Rest and Warrnambool were raided – and a number of items seized by police – Weir had horses compete at Mornington.

The Weir-trained River Mist finished second in race one, stablemate Indian Rani second in race two and Congratulate fifth in race three.

Racing at Mornington was then abandoned due to the hot temperatures.

Weir has large numbers of horses accepted to race at venues throughout the week, including at the main metropolitan meeting at Caulfield on Saturday.

Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson spoke to media on Wednesday afternoon and said the decision around whether or not Weir’s horses could compete was one to be made by stewards.

“They’ll determine whether the horses are able to run and certainly whether licenced people should also be stood down,” Thompson said.

“At the moment, there is no information or suggestion to the stewards that there should be any reason why these horses shouldn’t be running or anyone should be stood down at this point in time. That’s not to say that that may not change over time.”

Mick Leonard, Weir’s business manager, sent an email to owners on Wednesday that stated it was “business as usual” in regards to the training and care of horses.

The email indicated the stable hoped to make a more detailed announcement on Thursday.

The story ‘It’s tragic’: How the Weir raids rocked Ballarat first appeared in The Courier.

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