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On 7 November 2025, Racing NSW Officials commenced an investigation into the care and welfare afforded to horses in the care of licensed stablehand Ms Anna Flanagan.

Officials attended 240 Marshall Mount Road, Marshall Mount and inspected retired Thoroughbred horses Virgilio, Ponder The Stars and Wilkshire, all of which were in the charge of Ms Flanagan.

Racing NSW Veterinarian, Dr Claire Moore examined the aforementioned Thoroughbreds and assessed them to be in very poor body condition. The Thoroughbreds were suffering from moderate rain scold, and their distal limbs were caked in thick mud.

Racing NSW Officials attended Kembla Grange Racecourse and conducted an interview with Ms Flanagan. Ms Flanagan was issued with directions in respect to the ongoing care and welfare of Virgilio and Ponder The Stars.

On 18 November 2025, Officials reattended the property and identified that Ms Flanagan had not complied with the directions issued by Officials on 7 November 2025.

As a result of the investigation, on 18 November 2025, Stewards issued two (2) charges under LR114(2)(a) and AR232(b) against Ms Flanagan. On 19 November 2025, after inviting submissions which were not received from Ms Flanagan, Stewards suspended her license under AR23 pending the hearing and determination of the charges.

On 25 November 2025, Racing NSW Stewards conducted a hearing to determine the charges issued against Ms Flanagan. Ms Flanagan failed to attend as directed to do so.

A brief of evidence compiled by Racing NSW Investigator, Ben Lavorato was tendered.

Stewards adjourned the hearing and issued a further charge under AR232(h) against Ms Flanagan. Officials issued Ms Flanagan a direction to attend the hearing and determination of charges scheduled for 26 November 2025.

Stewards today conducted a hearing and determination of charges issued against Ms Flanagan. Ms Flanagan failed to attend as directed, and the matter was heard ex parte.

Charges issued against Ms Anne Flanagan

Charge 1: LR114(2)(a)

The details of the charge being that, as at 7 November 2025, she was the person in charge of, or in possession, control or custody of Thoroughbred horses Virgilio, Ponder The Stars and Wilkshire. Racing NSW Officials and a Veterinarian assessed the health and welfare of horses at this time and found them to have body conditions scores of 1. The poor body condition of the
horses was due to insufficient nutrition, either entirely or in part.

Finding: Guilty

Charge 2: AR232(b) Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards

The details of the charge being that between 7 November 2025 and 18 November 2025, she did fail to comply with a direction following being issued a direction by Racing NSW Investigator Ben Lavorato.

Finding: Guilty

Charge 3: AR232(h) Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards

The details of the charge being that on 25 November 2025, she did fail to attend a hearing when directed by the Stewards.

Finding: Guilty

Penalty

The following penalty considerations were taken into account:

- Objective seriousness of the conduct
- Precedent penalties
- The lack of cooperation from Ms Flanagan during the investigation and Stewards inquiries
- Ms Flanagan’s personal and professional circumstances
- Principle 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
- Purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image, interests and welfare of the Thoroughbred racing industry.

Charge 1: LR114(2)(a) – 12 months disqualification of licence

Charge 2: AR232(b) – 6 months disqualification of licence

Charge 3: AR232(h) – 6 months disqualification of licence

Stewards ruled that the total penalty imposed upon Ms Flanagan is that her licence be disqualified for a period of 2 years to commence on 19 November 2025, being the date Ms Flanagan’s licence was suspended under the provisions of AR23 and to expire on 19 November 2027.

Ms Flanagan was advised of her appeal rights.

Ms Flanagan was placed on the Racing NSW Excluded List.

The retired Thoroughbreds were seized by Racing NSW on welfare grounds.

Relevant Rules

LR114(2)(a)

(2) A registered owner, trainer or any person that is in charge of or has in his or her possession, control or custody of any horses (Eligible Horses, Unnamed Horses and Named Horses) must ensure that any such horses are provided at all times with:

(b) proper and sufficient nutrition and water.

AR232(b) Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards

A person must not:

 (b) fail or refuse to comply with an order, direction or requirement of the Stewards or an official;
 (h) refuse or fail to attend or give evidence at an interview, investigation, inquiry, hearing or appeal when directed or requested to do so by a PRA, the Stewards or a person authorised by a PRA or the Stewards;

AR23 Suspension pending the hearing and determination of a charge

Without limiting any other rules or Stewards’ powers, if a person has been charged with a breach of the Rules or with the commission of an indictable criminal offence, and if the Stewards are of the opinion that the continued participation of that person in racing might pose an unacceptable risk of prejudicing the image, interests, integrity or welfare of racing, the Stewards may pending the hearing and determination of the charge:

 (a) suspend any license, registration, right or privilege, granted to that person under these Australian Rules.

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