DARREN WEIR: Why he can be racing’s latest redemption story

It might have come as surprise to some that the four-year disqualification penalty imposed on Darren Weir runs its time February 6 next year.

That is not to say he can resume training, even if he wants to, the very next day. There is a bridge over some many troubled waters to cross before that.

But such news did not stop a raft of hastily convened directions hearings over the weekend at the court of popular appeal, otherwise known as Twitter, offering their verdicts and findings and what they would think be learned advice.

Put that aside, first there is the serious matter of Weir’s appearance on animal cruelty charges in the Warrnambool Magistrates court next month.

As part of a plea deal, which suggests he will offer up guilt to the use of a “jigger” (I don’t think we need to say electrical apparatus anymore) on three horses, at that hearing, hence other conspiracy charges have been dropped.

His original four-year ban via Racing Victoria came from “the possession” of jiggers, handed over (not seized) and directly by Weir from his bedroom to Victoria Police detectives during an operation at his Miner’s Rest stables in January 2019.

Compliance with Racing Victoria investigations and no-contest to charges has been de rigour Weir through this legal process and saw him accept a four-year penalty that was requested by Racing Victoria Stewards, though RADB panellist Josh Bornstein had dissented proposing a five-year ban as appropriate penalty. The majority ruled with the current four.

Darren Weir with Michelle Payne after Prince of Penzance’s win in the 2015 Melbourne Cup Picture: Photo/Andy Brownbill

A subsequent police investigation, based on hours of CCTV surveillance footage, has led to the criminal animal cruelty charges which are alleged “use” – if not agreed so - of “jiggers”.

Weir has subsequently lived an almost hermit life at his Baringhup property running cattle and sheep, understood to be dealing with the mental stress and personal focus of the time and “crime”.

Next month’s criminal hearings will obviously determine what penalty is imposed based on that guilty plea and judge’s interpretations of the seriousness of the offending, but will also underpin the narrative around whatever chances Weir has of returning to the racing industry, if he makes application to do so.

An article in The Age last Friday led with “A host of disqualified racehorse trainer Darren Weir’s former clients are ready to support the Melbourne Cup winner’s return to racing.”

Even former rival Mick Price was quoted as saying “you do the crime, you do the time”, adding four years for “a bloke like Darren Weir is severe.”

But if they could all ask one question of the reportedly totally “remorseful” Weir it is: “Why, why would you do it?”

Put aside any glass houses arguments from days gone by, it a question that defies any reasonable and credulous explanation from a horseman like Weir and it is one that he is most likely to keep with him.

In the original penalty decision, RADB chairman judge John Bowman described the possession and use of jiggers as “abhorrent.”

Darren Weir leaving after being disqualified by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board for four years in February 2019 Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

As he said then, “it is still”, and so it is, there is no explainable reasoning for such behaviour, especially for a talented trainer or horseman like Weir, or indeed any other seeking to cheat the game, and such condemnation is right and fitting.

And of course, now the mention of any form of animal cruelty if far more society focussed, as it should be, but there should always be some room for temperament in background.

If Weir is to return to training racehorses, or even considering partnering with his daughter Taige in the future in some sort of agreement, it can only be with the imprimatur of Racing Victoria’s now stricter licencing policy based on “fitness and propriety” that needs to be ratified or clarified or even tinkered with by the Racing Victoria Board.

So, accept the reasons for the terms of his current penalty as they are. They are without any form of wriggling away from and are indefensible.

But Weir, the winner of almost 3700 races, and 36 group 1’s has many more contributions to the industry that has been his life from a breaker, farrier, track rider, barrier attendant since his graduating from country school at Berriwillock, Mallee Country to the bashful face as a reluctant headline act of Australian racing, the boy done good, supposedly turned now bad.

As Judge Bowman said at the time: “All of this makes your fall all the sadder and more tragic.”

So let me put some things on the table for consideration for but not on behalf of Weir as he supposedly faces a “character test” if seeking licensing next year.

In declaring the original penalty, Judge Bowman said Weir’s career record “is a comparatively good one.”

“We are cognisant of the impact that a lengthy period of disqualification will have upon you,” he wrote at the time.

Weir is some character, a sum of all his parts, yet reluctant to share many of them. He may need come character referencing in any proceeding to procure a licence. And it seems there will be plenty of them.

Racing Victoria rightly prides itself on its successful current Off The Track program – as the industry makes dealing with equine welfare issues as part of prizemoney distribution as much as industry commercial and promotional focus.

Darren Weir was running his own from his Miners Rest properties well before they became “fashionable” going back to 2013 under staff employee Lee Purchase, who would eventually (after four nominations) win the prestigious Godolphin Stable and Staff Award for Thoroughbred Care and Welfare) for her work at Weir Racing.

Weir originally rented a paddock off the Ballarat Turf Club where discarded stable horses would live, be cared for, fed and rugged, paid for by Weir before forever homes could be found. It became an integral part of Weir Racing.

A report at the time suggested “Purchase estimated she had found homes all over Australia for “dozens and dozens” of Weir’s former racehorses, placing them in every imaginable equestrian pursuit — pony clubs, polo, eventing, showing and dressage. Some have even been taken as pets or used as four-legged lawnmowers.”

Discarded horses with outstanding veterinary bills for former Weir trained horses were the next step. It is understood that Weir personally paid those accounts to save those horses from being put down or auctioned and they stayed until rehomed.

If there was a person found mistreating horses at Weir Racing, they didn’t last long, not that he would exonerate himself for his career ending speed hump. He was not an animal abuser, he kept a living bird aviary as solace from the pressures of endless racing, yet he will have to and has lived with his indiscretions, but can also stand on his record of care for equine and human staff who were equally cared for.

Outstanding bills were paid for by the trainer for those down on their luck, greed and financial success had never been a carrot, any monies won via his percentages were ploughed back into extensive property developments and local community.

Darren Weir and John Allen after winning the 2018 Victoria Derby with Extra Brut Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

When long time stable employee Greg “Gnome” Reynolds passed away soon after his ban was imposed in February 2019, Weir and ex-partner Leonie, ensured the funeral not only was recognition from a man who “didn’t exist”, he had no Medicare details, or normal societal footprint, but was an integral part of Weir Racing and respected as such and passed with dignity and matters corrected.

Other trainers too, if a fellow trainer struggled and owned for hay or feed, Weir would find out how much and pay it or towards it. Without question or sought recognition.

When his property and vehicles were used for the Michelle Payne Movie “Rides Like A Girl”, he was offered a commercial fee, but instead he shared it to Downs Syndrome (Stevie Payne) and Cystic Fibrosis (Harry Coffey, son of one of his first mentor’s in Austy).

When you talk of penalty, time is simply part of it, the mental side another, perhaps deepened when you see some 35 Group 1 winners drift away and some $117m in Stakes go elsewhere. But that is how it is.

Not just Nature Strip or a Verry Ellegaant or Yes Yes Yes, Weir had purchased current Cup placegetter High Emocean, spring star Smokin’ Romans, as well as Cup runner Grand Promenade as yearlings.

Kenedna, Black Heart Bart, Brave Smash, Amphritite, Fifty Stars, Humidor, Kings Will Dream, Lucky Hussler, are others who were in the Forest Lodge system before enforcedly drafted out.

It is not worth speculating on the horses that he could have trained in the four years out, because that is irrelevant, but the time penalty is exposed in the above disclosure but the add in the public perception and pariah status as it all drags on.

Weir went from successful trainer, cult hero, the bloke any punter would love to have a beer with, especially at Warrnambool, to despised outsider. Yet it has changed his social conscience. And has left deep scars.

Racing is full of examples of second chance and redemption. Weir will not and has never asked for any special treatment. He has taken his medicine to date and is expected to do so, no matter what transpires.

You can mention the returns of high-profile players from Jim Cassidy, Damien Oliver, James McDonald in modern times to respected status for differing offences as examples of racing’s redemption.

Or let us go to the heart of integrity at Racing Victoria and demoted steward Dion Villella following an independent inquiry into his behaviour involved in a case that was subsequently dismissed and promoted an external investigation in RV’s integrity department by Sean Carroll by his Independent Integrity Commission.

Villella was part of the high profile Compliance Assurance Team steward until breaching policy by contacting another steward “comparing notes” during an inquiry which led to its withdrawal of charges. He was given “a revised role of Raceday Stipendiary Steward after a period of leave.”

“His "strong record" over more than 25 years of employment was taken into account when RV considered "appropriate action" it was said.

He must undergo additional "education and training", which will be extended to all relevant staff,” said RV at the time.

So, a senior steward in an integrity department critical to public perception is given a second chance based on a long-time record of employment.

Weir has a long record in racing as outlined. He has seriously breached the rules but in possibly seeking a re-licence, it should be measured over the entirety of such involvement and contribution to the industry. He would not surprisingly be expecting some similar consideration.

But this is not for me to offer, but merely present as public discussion.

It will be for Weir and his team at the appropriate time for the appropriate applications. But such matters outlined here are perhaps more relevant than those floated without knowledge.

Anything else will not be applied for by social media. Weir can and has acknowledged his errors, and is serving his penalty for them, yet as he looks to a future, he can rightfully be proud of his achievements and contributions to the only real industry he knows.

DISCLOSURE: Bruce Clark has an agreement with Darren Weir and a publisher to complete his biography.