Melbourne Cup-winning horse trainer Darren Weir and two other men have been arrested in police raids at Weir's Victorian properties.
Key points:
Darren Weir is widely regarded as Australia's leading horse trainer
Police said he and two other men would be interviewed over "sporting integrity matters"
They said they were investigating suspected "use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes"
Victoria Police said the raids were part of a Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit investigation into alleged corruption in racing.
In a statement, police said the men were arrested for questioning as part of an investigation into suspected offences including:
obtaining financial advantage by deception
engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome
use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes
attempting to obtain financial advantage by deception
Prince of Penzance trainer Darren Weir and jockey Michelle Payne celebrate after winning the Melbourne Cup
A 26-year-old man from Warrnambool and a 38-year-old man from nearby Yangery were also arrested.
Weir, 48, is widely regarded as Australia's leading horse trainer and trained the 2015 Melbourne Cup-winning horse Prince of Penzance, which jockey Michelle Payne rode to victory.
Joint investigation between police and Racing Victoria
In a statement, Racing Victoria's general manager of integrity, Jamie Stier, said the police raids were linked to an investigation by the racing body.
"Racing Victoria's Integrity Services team has been conducting an investigation into the activities of licensed persons in the Warrnambool and Ballarat areas," he said.
"During the course of our investigation we sought the support of Victoria Police's Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit."
A man in a police cap walks past a large white truck with 'Weir Racing' written on the side.
Mr Stier said members of Racing Victoria's integrity team joined police on the raids at the properties.
"Racing Victoria is committed to maintaining the highest integrity standards in our sport and, where appropriate, we will continue to work with Victoria Police on those investigations."
The stables of horse trainer Darren Weir at Warrnambool, Victoria.
Who is Darren Weir?
Born in the town of Berriwillock in Victoria's north-west
Left school at 15 and began work in the horse-racing industry
Took out his own trainer's licence aged 25, when based at Stawell
Expanded operations to Ballarat and Warrnambool as his success grew
Won 348 races in the 2015-16 season, setting a new Commonwealth training record
Trained the 2015 Melbourne Cup winner Prince of Penzance
Police said a firearm and "what is believed to be a conducted energy device" were also seized.
Weir has a high-tech training facility at Miners Rest and a beach stable in Warrnambool.
Police searched a truck at the trainer's Miners Rest property this morning, going through its cab and the vehicle's exterior.
'Extremely disappointing': Racing Minister
Staff continued to come and go from the Miners Rest property throughout the morning, with regular work continuing despite the presence of police.
Five horses trained by Weir are due to run this afternoon at Mornington Racecourse, with seven more due to run on Thursday and nine on Friday night at Moonee Valley Racecourse.
Weir also owns Trevenson Park, a property south-west of Bendigo, which includes a large dam and a purpose-built track made of sand.
Horse trainer Darren Weir standing in the stables with three horses.
Weir has a high-tech training facility at Miners Rest and a beach stable in Warrnambool.
Victoria's Racing Minister, Martin Pakula, said he was aware of the police investigation and did not want to say anything to prejudice its outcome.
"I would simply say as a racing fan and as the Racing Minister, integrity in our sport is incredibly important and any allegation of a breach of the rules of racing is extremely disappointing," he said.
"It is important to note that this is another demonstration that our racing integrity unit within Racing Victoria will pursue any matter without fear or favour, and that is clearly what they have done."
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Topic Author
