Horse trainer John McNair fined $15,000 but avoids suspension after runner detected with the drug ice
Horse trainer John McNair has been hit with a hefty fine but avoided suspension after a runner was detected with the drug ice at a Newcastle race meeting.
Racing NSW stewards began an investigation in March after the McNair-trained runner Normandy was found to have high levels of amphetamine and methylamphetamine — commonly known as ice — in its urine.
The horse had run fourth in a maiden race in Newcastle and was later disqualified.
Stewards have now fined the Central Coast horse trainer $15,000 but decided against suspending him.
The report into the incident noted that Stewards were ‘satisfied that Mr McNair did not administer or have knowledge of the administration of methylamphetamine to the race horse, Normandy’.
They took into account his early guilty plea and the consequences a suspension would have on the employment of five stable-hands.
Lawyers for Mr McNair have confirmed he has lodged an appeal against the severity of the sentence.
Racing officials said Mr McNair, the trainer of former star sprinter Hay List, had a record of five previous offences for positives to prohibited substances in the past 16 years.
Last week, Newcastle trainer Darren Smith lost his second appeal against a 14-year ban for giving his horses cobalt chloride.
Mr Smith has been forced to lay off about 30 staff.
Editor’s note July 30 2015: The original version of this story incorrectly reported that horse trainer John McNair had been penalised by Racing NSW for giving a horse the drug ice. As now reported, the specific breach of racing rules Mr McNair pleaded guilty to was bringing a horse to a race course with a prohibited substance in its system. Following their investigation into the matter, Racing NSW Stewards expressly noted that they were satisfied Mr McNair did not administer or have knowledge of the administration of the drug found in the horse’s system. The ABC apologises to Mr McNair for the error.
