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Background

On 8 November 2024, three-year-old filly All In Writing, in the care of licensed trainer Grant Jobson, took part in race 1 at Kempsey Racecourse.

During the event All In Writing sustained a catastrophic injury to the left carpus. A subsequent post-mortem revealed the carpus had a communited fracture of the fourth carpal bone. Several inter-carpal ligaments had ruptured with associated avulsion fractures.

On 8 November 2024, Racing NSW Stewards commenced an investigation surrounding the euthanasia of All In Writing and the care afforded to the filly prior to its euthanasia.

Stewards conducted interviews with jockeys Ms Madeline Owen, Ms Shae Wilkes, Ms Teighan Worsnop and licensed trainer Grant Jobson.

Racing NSW Investigators conducted further interviews with witnesses and obtained relevant veterinary reports and treatment records in respect to All In Writing.

On 8 January 2025, Racing NSW Stewards opened an inquiry into circumstances surrounding the euthanasia and prior care afforded to All In Writing. A brief of evidence compiled by Racing NSW Investigators was tendered and oral evidence was taken from Mr Grant Jobson, Veterinarian Dr Adrian Owen, Veterinarian Dr Stuart Knox, Racing NSW Official Veterinarian Dr Taylor Ware and current industry participants.

Stewards adjourned to consider the evidence and on 15 January 2025 issued one charge against Mr Grant Jobson.

On 16 January 2025, Racing NSW Investigators conducted a further three interviews with witnesses. Racing NSW Stewards on this day conducted a hearing to determine the charge issued against Mr Jobson. The additional interviews were tendered and oral evidence was taken from Mr Mark Hubbard, Mr Scott Olson, Mr Kevin Berte and Mr Grant Jobson who was assisted by Barrister Mr John Vizzone.

Stewards considered the evidence and amended the particulars of the charge issued against Mr Jobson.

Charge issued against Mr Grant Jobson

Charge 1: AR229(1)(a) - Improper action in connection with racing

The details of the charge being that he did commit an improper action in connection with racing by allowing All In Writing to continue to exercise and to enter and start in a race on Friday 8 November, despite being advised that All In Writing had a gait abnormality in September 2024, which required a veterinary assessment to identify the cause of the gait abnormality after returning from a spell following a suspected hairline fracture to the nearside fetlock.

Plea: Guilty

Penalty

The following penalty considerations were taken into account:

- Guilty pleas were 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 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: AR229(1)(a) – 9 months disqualification of licence

Having regard to his guilty plea and other relevant considerations, Stewards ordered that the 9 months disqualification be reduced to 6 months.

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 Mr Jobson is not to start a horse in a race.

Accordingly, the period of disqualification is to commence on 5 February 2025 and expires on 5 August 2025.

Mr Jobson was advised of his appeal rights.

Relevant Rules

AR 229 Corruption, dishonesty and misleading behaviour

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