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Background

On 10 January 2024, five-year-old mare Bonnie Vale, in the care of licensed trainer Trent Potts, was located deceased in a paddock at the residential address of Mr Potts. It was identified that the left hind hoof capsule was detached from the pedal bone. In August 2024, Racing NSW Officials made enquiries with Mr Potts as to the status of Bonnie Vale, at which time he advised Officials of the mare’s death in January 2024.

Racing NSW Integrity commenced an investigation surrounding the death of Bonny Vale and the care afforded to the mare prior to its death. Stewards conducted interviews with witnesses, obtained veterinarian reports and relevant treatment records.

On 28 April 2025, Racing NSW Stewards opened an inquiry into circumstances surrounding the death. A brief of evidence compiled by Racing NSW Investigator Ben Lavorato was tendered and oral evidence was taken from Mr Trent Potts, Ms Leanne Boyd and Racing NSW Official Veterinarian Dr Rose Bensley. Stewards adjourned the inquiry after requesting Ms Boyd provide her mobile phone records for the relevant time period.

On 7 May 2025, Racing NSW Stewards re-commenced the inquiry, and further oral evidence was taken from Veterinarian Dr Stuart Knox, Racing NSW Official Veterinarian Dr Rose Bensley, Mr Trent Potts, Ms Leanne Boyd and Racing NSW Official Investigator Ben Lavorato. Stewards considered the evidence and, as a result, issued five (5) charges against Mr Potts as detailed below:

Charges issued against Mr Trent Potts

Charge 1: AR231(1)(b)(iii) – Care and welfare of horses

The details of the charge being that after initially treating Bonnie Vale for a suspected foot abscess between 2 January 2024 and 7 January 2024, when the condition of Bonnie Vale failed to improve and bleeding from the coronary band was observed, he did fail to provide veterinary treatment to Bonnie Vale between 8 January 2024 and 10 January 2024 where such treatment was necessary.

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Charge 2: AR231(1)(b)(ii) – Care and welfare of horses

The details of the charge being that between Sunday 7 January 2024 and Wednesday 10 January 2024 (inclusive), he did not administer phenylbutazone as was necessary to alleviate the pain being suffered by Bonnie Vale.

Plea: Guilty

Charge 3: AR299(1) – Death of a named horse

The details of the charge being that he did fail to notify Racing Australia or Racing NSW of the death of Bonnie Vale who had not been retired from racing.

Plea: Guilty

Charge 4: AR299(2) – Death of a named horse

The details of the charge being that he did fail seek written approval of Racing NSW before Bonnie Vale was disposed of in circumstances where a veterinary certificate as to the cause of death was not provided.

Plea: Guilty

Charge 5 – AR296(2)(d)(i) – Name horse change of location

The details of the charge being that upon inspection of his stable premises on 2 April 2025, it was found that five (5) horses in his care had incorrect particulars in their stable returns.

Plea: Guilty

Penalty

The following penalty considerations were taken into account:

- Guilty pleas were entered at the earliest opportunity
- Objective seriousness of the breaches
- Contrition shown by Mr Potts and his willingness to accept responsibility for the breach
- 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: AR231(1)(b)(iii) – 6 months suspension of licence reduced to 4 months and 2 weeks

Charge 5: AR296(2)(d)(i)– $500 fine

Having regard to his guilty plea, the principles of totality of penalty and the partial concurrency with respect to Charge 2, Stewards ordered that Mr Pott’s trainer's licence be suspended for a period of 6 months to commence on 14 May 2025 and to expire 14 November 2025.

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 Potts is not to start a horse in a race. The total fine imposed upon Mr Potts was $900.

Mr Potts was advised of his rights of appeal.

Relevant Rules

AR 231 Care and welfare of horses

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