Latest News

Background

In February 2025, Racing NSW Integrity received information in respect to licensed trainer Ms Heidi Smith using a motor vehicle to lead Thoroughbred horses on the training surface at Broken Hill Racecourse.

Racing NSW Investigators commenced an investigation and on 15 March 2025, attended the Broken Hill Racecourse.

Investigators obtained relevant CCTV footage and on 24 March 2025, Ms Smith took part in an interview where he made full and frank admissions to the allegations.

The motor vehicle in question was located at Broken Hill Racecourse. Investigators conducted interviews with two industry participants.

Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the alleged conduct of Ms Smith. A brief of evidence compiled by Investigator Ash Tucker was tendered and oral evidence was taken from Ms Smith.

Stewards considered the evidence and, as a result, issued one charge against Ms Heidi Smith as detailed below.

Charge issued against Ms Heidi Smith

Charge 1: LR80(A)

The details of the charge being that at 6:40am on Sunday, 9 March 2025, while driving a motor vehicle on Broken Hill Racecourse, she did exercise a Thoroughbred horse by leading the Thoroughbred horse from the side of a motor vehicle.

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Penalty

The following penalty considerations were taken into account:

- Guilty plea was entered at the earliest opportunity
- Objective seriousness of the breaches
- Precedent penalties
- Personal and professional circumstances which includes 23 years as a trainer
- Principles of specific and general deterrence and what message is sent to the industry in respect to such conduct
- The importance of equine welfare for the Thoroughbred Racing Industry prior to, during racing and on retirement
- The purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image, interests and welfare of the Thoroughbred Racing Industry

Charge 1: LR80A – 6 months suspension of licence

Having regard to her guilty plea and other relevant considerations, Stewards ordered that the 6-month suspension be reduced to 4 months. Additionally, Stewards acting under AR283(5) ordered that 1 month of this penalty be suspended for a period of 12 months, on the basis that she is not found to be in breach of the related rule during this time period.

Under the powers afforded by AR283(7), Stewards ordered the commencement of the penalty be deferred for a period of seven (7) days, however, during this period Ms Smith is not to start a horse in a race.

Accordingly, Stewards ruled the total period of suspension be 3 months, to commence on 22 April 2025 and expires on 22 July 2025.

Ms Smith was advised of her appeal rights.

Relevant Rules

LR 80A
(1) A person must not, whilst driving a motor vehicle on a registered racecourse, public thoroughfare or grounds associated with a registered racecourse lead a horse from a motor vehicle in any manner including, but not limited to, by tethering a horse either behind or to the side of a motor vehicle or the use of any apparatus being towed by a motor vehicle;

Division 4 – Penalties

AR 283 Penalties

(5) Any person or body authorised by the Rules to penalise a person may in respect of any penalty imposed in relation to the conduct of a person and other than in relation to a period of disqualification or a warning off, suspend the operation of that penalty either wholly or in part for a period not exceeding 2 years, on terms they think fit

(7) A person or body authorised by these Australian Rules to suspend or disqualify any trainer may defer the commencement of the period of suspension or disqualification for no more than 7 clear days following the day the suspension or disqualification was imposed, and upon terms and conditions considered fit.

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