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Background

On 26 January 2025, Racing NSW Stewards received information in respect to licensed trainer Paul McVicar using a motor vehicle and jogger to exercise Thoroughbred horses on the training surface at Berrigan Racecourse.

Racing NSW Investigators commenced an investigation and on 26 January 2025, attended the registered stable address at Berrigan.

Mr McVicar took part in an interview where he made full and frank admissions to the allegations. The motor vehicle and jogger in question were also located at the registered stable address.

Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the alleged conduct of Mr McVicar. A brief of evidence complied by Investigator, Anna Tabet was tendered and oral evidence was taken from Mr McVicar.

Stewards considered the evidence and, as a result, issued one charge against Mr Paul McVicar as per the following:

Charge issued against Mr Paul McVicar

Charge 1: LR80(A)

The details of the charge being that at 8:00am on the 26 January 2025 and 8:10am on 26 January 2025, while driving a motor vehicle on Berrigan Racecourse, he did exercise Thoroughbred horses Very Shamus and Impending Love by using a jogger being towed by the motor vehicle.

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Penalty

The following penalty considerations were taken into account:

- Guilty plea 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: LR80A – 6 months suspension of licence

Having regard to his guilty plea and other relevant considerations, Stewards ordered that the 6 months suspension be reduced to 4 months and 2 weeks.

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 McVicar is not to start a horse in a race.

Accordingly, the period of suspension is to commence on 4 February 2025 and expires on 10 June 2025.

Mr McVicar was advised of his 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;

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