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On 1 November 2024, the Racing Appeal Tribunal determined that licensed trainer Mr Darren Egan had been subject to a disqualification period of 2 years commencing on 9 January 2024 and expiring on 9 January 2026.

While Mr Egan was originally granted a stay of proceedings when the matter went before the Appeal Panel, that operation of the stay ended on 31 January 2024.

The prohibitions imposed upon Mr Egan as a disqualified person, are outlined in the Australian Rules of Racing under AR263.

Following receipt of information, Racing NSW Integrity commenced an investigation and identified evidence that alleged Mr Egan was employed as a stud hand between 31 January 2024 and 8 May 2024 at Barramul Stud, Widden.

Stewards invited Mr Egan to make submissions with respect to the allegations. After considering those submissions and the available evidence, Stewards were satisfied that Mr Egan had breached the provisions of Australian Rule of Racing AR263(1)(o).

In accordance with AR263(4), a period of disqualification imposed on a person must automatically restart if that person breaches AR263(1). Accordingly, the disqualification imposed by the Racing Appeal Tribunal automatically restarted from the date of the breach - 8 May 2024 - and is now to expire on 8 May 2026.

Relevant Rules

Division 2 – Effects of penalties and restrictions imposed on persons and horses AR 263

Prohibitions on persons and their conduct while disqualified

(1) Unless otherwise authorised by the PRA which imposed a disqualification (and upon such conditions as that PRA may in its discretion impose), a person disqualified under these Australian Rules must not, during the period of that disqualification:

 (o) receive any direct or indirect financial or other benefit derived from thoroughbred racing and/or breeding in Australia.

(4) Unless otherwise determined by the PRA that imposed or adopted a penalty, if a person breaches subrule (1), the period of disqualification imposed on that person must automatically restart from the most recent date of the breach, and the person may also be subject to further penalty.

- D.R. Hadley (General Manager-Investigations, Racing NSW)