It’s been a tough few days for the racing industry.
The movie-like raid on the Darren Weir stables has been national news and its findings have angered and embarrassed participants across the country.
Four jiggers, an unregistered firearm and a small amount of cocaine were seized – none of which has a place in a licensed stable.
A jigger is an archaic ‘tool’ in horse training, outlawed many decades ago, that sends an electric shock down a horse’s neck when applied.
On raceday, when the jockey asks the horse for extra effort and shakes the reins, the horse feels the handle of the whip on its neck and remembers the jolt, kicking into gear. Mere possession of a jigger carries a compulsory two-year disqualification; proven use will be treated more harshly.
In a familiar twist, mainstream media and ‘keyboard warriors’ have gleefully sunk the boots into the racing fraternity. Frothing at the mouth they have trawled back through the archives to find past indiscretions, hoping to justify their outrage.
Many have admitted to not being racing fans and knowing little about the sport yet are unwilling to let that get in the way of a misplaced grudge. Are we to assume that, given their occasional objection to racing, these instant experts remain on their moral high-horse and defiantly work on Melbourne Cup day or Adelaide Cup day?
It’s interesting to note that while the racing media report and comment on racing only, the wider sports community seem to feel it is their duty to step in and have their say when it suits.
Whilst constantly forgiving participants of their own chosen passion – be it football, cricket or otherwise – many adopt a ‘one in all in’ approach to racing.
‘They’re all cheats!’ How is it that racing, a sport being painted as a pastime for the cruel and greedy, is held to a higher standard than any other?
Take Australian Rules Football for example. It’s difficult to remember many articles, opinion pieces or social media content, accusing the whole league of using performance-enhancing drugs during the Essendon scandal.
It was reported as a one-off incident that has never happened before and never would again – drugs aren’t a massive problem and the League is on top of it.
The treachery of the drug culture at West Coast was reported in a similar fashion – drugs aren’t a massive problem and the League is taking measures to ensure they don’t become one.
Upon reflection, that’s two clubs out of sixteen at the time that that had very separate drug issues which is over twelve per cent of the League’s competitors.
Now, compare that to every trainer that has been suspended or disqualified over the past two decades in racing and the figures are far kinder, less that one per cent of competitors fall in this bracket.
Stables routinely have their athletes tested for prohibited substances and malpractice, the industry is hellbent on catching the bad guys.
A quick wander through a stable in the early morning reveals the love and respect these equine gems rightly receive every day. It is starkly apparent that the Weir situation is unacceptable and will be treated as such.
No one in racing is hiding from this. The racing media have been considered and critical of Weir’s actions and, as the story reveals itself, will continue to be honest and factual in their reporting.
Is it too much to ask mainstream media to behave the same way?
Paul
Roar Guru
"Is it too much to ask mainstream media to behave the same way?" Sadly, mainstream media have a completely different formula - latch onto any story guaranteed to give maximum "likes" or the most readership and run with it for all it's worth, along the way, embellishing what ever facts are available to make it attractive to as many people as possible. Good, solid journalism and a sensitivity to the other people in the industry rarely, if ever, comes into this formula because these writers will probably not have any further dealings with racing, so have no need to develop and maintain relationships. The sad thing is, people lap this rubbish up, then move onto the next scandal. Completely irresponsible press, I agree, but we're stuck with it till those reading the mainstream stories, stop wanting sensationalist crap.
1DER
Guest
Darren Weir is the figure head of Darren Weir racing and must be held accountable. He has now lost his stature in racing and rightfully so.
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
A very welcome and timely article, thank you Josh. The media seem to have a lot of trouble differentiating individual wrongdoing and groups of people with common interests. Most people, if given time to think about it, reject the premise that groups of people should be held accountable for the actions of individuals and will have a more nuanced view. But they need time to think about it.
Bangers N Mash
Guest
Yes , I re
Blubber
Guest
A few people booking flights to Honkers.
Max power
Guest
How is being progressive also elitist ?
Joey
Guest
Clive Palmer, is that you?
Larry1950
Guest
Being a bit sensitive Josh, seem to recall just about every journo, scribe or any other personality who had access to be published having a lash at 'sandpapergate' & the perpetrators. As someone who's had passing involvement in racing as an owner, I've seen the results of using a jig gear in track work & have a different view now to then when I was a young guy. Thought Weir is too big to to go down but so was Moody so we'll see. Reckon they'll be searching for a sacrificial lamb.
1DER
Guest
"Upon reflection, that’s two clubs out of sixteen at the time that that had very separate drug issues which is over twelve per cent of the League’s competitors." Cannot isolate one section from a whole industry with regards to the above statement. Darren Weir Racing has over 500 horses in his stable out of say 9000 being approximately 6% of the Victoria's thoroughbreds. Should the allegations be substantiated I would be asking the question has the larger stables been able to implement, maintain, regulate and enforce industry standard procedures and behaviour during rapid growth. Big is always not better?
PhillKanga
Roar Rookie
Horse racing is a billion dollar industry in Australia alone, good luck banning it. Look what happened when NSW tried to ban greyhound racing. Only in Toytown Canberra did it stick. Greyhounds are comparatively the poor cousins to thoroughbreds and a much easier target for the fake activists to be posers. Florida, one of the first States to formalise greyhound racing in the US, has passed legislation to now ban it. Interestingly, the two biggest States for thoroughbreds are California and New York, which so happen to be two of the more progressive and elitist. The Supreme Court over there has just found Federal laws prohibiting gambling as unconstitutional, which now means there will be more tax revenue created as the various States jump on board sports gambling. Horse racing is about the only thing in which the battlers and the toffs rub shoulders and there are tens of millions of people around the world, either actively involved or are supporters of the sport. it will never stop. People everywhere push the envelope for personal gain, it doesn't mean everyone is doing it. That is, except for the progressive elites and their fake activism.
kv joef
Roar Guru
Thank you for taking the time to write this articulate article Josh. It is both accurate in facts and perception. When I was told of the Weir raid they only mentioned that they had found a teazor, a gun and small amount of cocaine and i thought 'well a heavy smack on the wrist coming someone's way'. it was only later i heard about the 'jiggers' and my sigh of disappointment must have been audible. i was really saddened because i knew like many others that a few pages of remarkable australian racing history were going to be replaced by a few pages of infamy (if charges are proven). As you pointed out Josh, the VicRacing stewards and their integrity unit are outstanding for some time, acting without fear or favour matching their NSW counterparts. Our racing police will win this battle and should have unwavering support from the industry and fans of our sport. Be assured when i was growing-up in the game, 'rumours' abounded about similar instances of rule-breaking and how that exposed wrong-doing might have been handled, let's say in a quieter manner ... in a less public and/or legalistic manner. Well done Josh, keep it up.
Jack
Guest
The DEEEP STATE is going ban horse racing. There are secret meetings of latte drinking socialists happening right now to take horses and guns and meat from real Aussies. There all men haters. The gambling industry does wonderful things for Australia and never takes food from children mouths. Make Australia great again.
James Mathers
Guest
This is not only about cheating it’s also about cruelty. The outpouring of public sentiment relates more to cruelty and the profile of the persons involved in the allegations.
peeeko
Roar Guru
gee, taking it to heart a little much?
Carl
Guest
You better get used to it Josh. Certain powers that be will deem Racing and other activities where humans get pleasure from the use of animals will be banned and made illegal under an Animal Cruelty Act. So if you are a fan Josh, you better get your ACT together because not only will Racing be illegal, talking about it will too. This will also include eating meat and maybe having domesticated animals as pets. I am no advocate It's just my perception of what the future beholds.