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Background

On 21 June 2025, Racing NSW Integrity commenced an investigation into the injuries sustained by unlicensed person Pip Culverson while riding an active Thoroughbred, Truth I Fear, on a training surface at Dubbo Turf Club.

Racing NSW Investigators obtained witness statements and seized electronic and physical evidence.

It was established that prior to 21 June 2024, licensed stablehand Adam Bush advertised retired 4-year-old gelding Truth I Fear for sale at the request of licensed trainer Clint Lundholm. Truth I Fear was retired from racing and was to be rehomed.

Mr Bush engaged with prospective purchasers and at 1:30pm on Thursday, 19 June 2025, met Miss Bobbie Berryman at Dubbo Turf Club to inspect Truth I Fear.

Miss Berryman, who does not hold a licence with Racing NSW, rode Truth I fear while being led around the bullring training surface by Mr Adam Bush.

At 3:00pm on Saturday, 21 June 2025, Miss Berryman returned to Dubbo Turf Club with friend Pip Culverson to inspect Truth I Fear. Miss Culverson does not hold a licence with Racing NSW.

Mr Bush opened the locked gate and allowed Miss Culverson to ride Truth I Fear around the bullring training surface. At this time, Truth I Fear took charge and attempted to jump the rail resulting in Miss Culverson becoming dislodged and falling to the ground.

As a result of the fall, Miss Culverson sustained a concussion, two (2) broken ribs, broken clavicle, broken collarbone a fractured vertebrae.

Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the incident. A brief of evidence compiled by Racing NSW Investigator Ash Tucker was tendered and oral evidence was taken from witnesses including Mr Bush and Mr Lundholm.

Stewards considered the evidence and determined that although Mr Lundholm requested Mr Bush rehome Truth I Fear, Mr Lundholm did not have any knowledge of the horse being ridden until following the incident.

It was established that Mr Lundholm did not instruct Mr Bush to allow Miss Berryman and Miss Culverson to ride the horse on the registered racecourse.

It was further established, that the actions of Mr Bush did not reflect the usual rehoming practices adopted by the Lundholm stable. Mr Lundholm was not present during the incident.

In these circumstances, a charge against Mr Lundholm under the rules was not appropriate. Stewards issued a charge under AR229(b) against Mr Bush as detailed below:

Charge issued against Mr Adam Bush

Charge 1: AR229(a)

The details of the charge being that he did commit and improper action in connection with racing due to the following matters. At 2:00pm on 19 June 2025, without making enquiries as to the racing licence status of Miss Berryman and without sufficient protective riding gear, he allowed her to mount and exercise Truth I Fear around the bullring training surface at Dubbo Turf Club.

Furthermore, at 3:00pm on 21 June 2025, without making enquiries as to the racing licence status of Miss Culverson and without sufficient protective riding gear, he allowed her to saddle and exercise Truth I Fear in a yard at Dubbo Turf Club.

A short time later, he unlocked a gate and allowed Miss Culverson to exercise Truth I Fear around the bullring training surface at Dubbo Turf Club. He was aware that Dubbo Turf Club’s permitted trackwork hours between Monday and Saturday are 6:00am – 10:00am.

At no stage, did he have permission to access the Dubbo Turf Club training facilities outside of the permitted hours.

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

- Principles of specific and general deterrence and what message is sent to the industry in respect to such conduct

- The purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image, interests and welfare of the Thoroughbred Racing Industry

Charge 1: AR229(a) – 6 months disqualification of licence

Stewards ruled the total period of disqualification be 6 months. Having regard to his guilty plea other relevant considerations, Stewards varied the penalty to 4 months to commence on 1 July 2025 and to expire on 31st October 2025.

Mr Bush was advised of his appeal rights.

Relevant Rules

Division 4 – Corruption, dishonesty and misleading behaviour

AR229 Corruption, dishonesty and misleading behaviour

(1) A person must not:

(a) engage in any dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent, improper or dishonourable action or practice in connection with racing

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