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Racing NSW Stewards today (29 July 2025) conducted an inquiry into the standard of stables and yards occupied by horses under the care of licensed trainer Mr Christopher Coleman at his registered stable premises when visited by Racing NSW Stewards on 18 July 2025.

Evidence was taken from Mr Coleman and an exhibits bundle including a transcript of interview with Mr Coleman and photographs taken at the time of the Stewards visit, were tendered during the inquiry.

Mr Coleman pleaded guilty to the following two charges:

CHARGE 1 - LR 114(2)(c) – Fail to adequately maintain stables and paddocks

Particulars:

1) Mr Christopher Coleman is a licensed trainer with Racing NSW

2) His registered stables are located at Block 17 McRae St, Queanbeyan

3) S 6.1 of the Racing NSW Minimum Standards & Guidelines of Equine Welfare states: Premises must be designed and maintained to minimise the risk of injury, disease and escape

4) That when visited by Racing NSW Stewards on 18 July 2025 his stable premises failed to meet s 6.1 of the Racing NSW Minimum Standards & Guidelines of Equine Welfare in that a number of hazards were identified in yards and areas occupied by Rockbarton Planet and Sweet Treen being horses in his care including a trailer, a caravan, a pile of bricks, besser blocks and other building and waste materials, car wheels and exposed steel piping

5) S 6.4 of the Racing NSW Minimum Standards & Guidelines of Equine Welfare states: Appropriate clean bedding must be provided in stables for warmth, insulation and protection from abrasion

6) That when visited by Racing NSW Stewards on 18 July 2025, stable flooring at his registered stable premises failed to meet s 6.4 of the Racing NSW Minimum Standards & Guidelines of Equine Welfare in that the flooring in the stables of Rockbarton Road and Sweet Treen was found to have no discernible bedding material with concrete floors and contained in the stable of Sweet Treen was an approximately one foot high collection of horse manure that was present over approximately one third of its area

7) That after being visited by Racing NSW Stewards on 24 August 2021, he was provided with directions to resolve matters in respect to his stable premises in areas occupied by horses in his care that had been found to contain hazards including exposed building materials and inadequate stable bedding on a concrete floor which was also found to be soiled and not fit for a horse

CHARGE 2 – LR39(5) - Fail to amend stable return

Particulars:

That when visited by Racing NSW Stewards on the morning of 18 July 2025, licensed trainer Mr Christopher Coleman was found to have failed to update the stable return to reflect that Rockbarton Planet, a four-year gelding that had been trained by him, was retired from racing when it was showing as being active.

PENALTY

Charge 1 – LR114(2)(c)

In assessing penalty, the following matters were considered:

- Guilty plea
- Forthright evidence
- Personal and professional circumstances
- Precedent penalties
- That Mr Coleman had been issued with directions to resolve similar issues relating to the care of horses at his registered stable premises in August 2021
- The principles and specific and general deterrence
- Purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image, interests and welfare of the Thoroughbred Racing Industry

Stewards considered that the appropriate penalty to be imposed be a 4 months suspension of Mr Coleman’s trainer’s licence. However, taking into account Mr Coleman’s guilty plea, a 25% discount was applied reducing the penalty to a 3 months suspension. Mr Coleman’s trainer's licence was suspended therefore for a period of 3 months to commence immediately and to expire on 29 October 2025.

Stewards however, acting under AR283(7), allowed for a period of 7 days to allow Mr Coleman to care for and to facilitate the transfer of the two horses from his care.

Charge 2 – LR39(5)

Bearing in mind this was Mr Coleman’s first breach of the Rule and that it was related to failure to update the stable return of one horse only, he was fined the sum of $200.

Mr Coleman was advised of his rights of appeal.

RELEVANT RULES

LR 114(2)(c)
(1) The purpose and objective of this Local Rule 114 is to ensure the welfare of thoroughbred horses from birth, during their racing careers and on retirement.
(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:
(a) proper and sufficient nutrition and water;
(b) proper exercise;
(c) stabling and paddocks of a standard approved by Racing NSW, which are adequate in size, which are adequately maintained and kept in a clean and sanitary condition;
(d) veterinary treatment where such treatment is necessary or directed by Racing NSW.

AR283(7)
(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.

- J.D. Walshe (Chief Steward, South East Region-Racing NSW)