O’Shea seeks stay after appeal of four-month ban for improper conduct
Multiple group 1 winning trainer John O’Shea will hear an application for an adjournment on Wednesday after appealing against the severity of a four-month disqualification for inappropriate conduct against two Racing NSW vets.
O’Shea pleaded guilty to three charges stemming from the stewards’ investigation on March 9 into the Randwick trainer’s conduct after he scratched Bev’s Nine at Rosehill on February 21 on the advice of Racing NSW vets.
Coach John O’Shea.Credit: Getty
The unbeaten gelding who won at Canterbury six days later was declared lame behind the fences; This was a decision the stable discussed in front of veterinarians and stewards that day.
The investigation revealed O’Shea went to the swab area near the race day stands and was heard making an inappropriate comment in a loud voice, referring to veterinarians. The investigation then began with veterinarian Dr. She reported that he approached Claire Moore and engaged in a heated interaction, during which he spoke in a raised and aggressive tone of voice, repeatedly interrupted her, and made signs with his arms while questioning the decision. Also Dr. He also reported that Carly Garling approached and O’Shea spoke to her in a loud and animated manner.
During the investigation, CCTV footage of the incident that occurred while the horse was being trotted away was shown, and these footage enabled many eyewitnesses and interested parties to be heard.
The three inappropriate charges included the utterance of an inappropriate comment referring to Racing NSW vets and inappropriate behavior towards each RNSW vet. The regulations called for a minimum six-month disqualification, but referees reduced that to four months due to O’Shea’s apology to vets, his record, his cooperation and his guilty plea.
Racing NSW confirmed O’Shea had objected to the severity of the ban and applied for a postponement of the proceedings.
The legal action is not expected to disrupt the stable’s operations, including running Yorkshire and Linebacker in Saturday’s group 1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill. O’Shea’s assistant trainer Tom Charlton has been granted a provisional trainer’s license but will need to go through the normal application process to meet the stable’s financial obligations on his own.
If permission to stay is granted, O’Shea will continue training until the appeal is heard. This objection is expected to happen soon.
