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Racing NSW Stewards today inquired into a complaint lodged by Veterinary Officer Dr C Richardson in respect of the conduct of licensed trainer Cameron Crockett towards her while she was collecting pre-race blood samples as part of her duties at the Tamworth race meeting on Friday, 26 April 2024. 

At the inquiry evidence was taken from Dr Richardson, Mr Crockett and Ms G Houseman, a licensed stablehand with Mr Crockett who was attending to the horse Lonhro’s Queen at the Tamworth race meeting in question. 

After considering all the evidence, Stewards issued the following charge against Mr Crockett under AR228(c). 

Charge 

The details of the charge being that he engaged in improper behaviour towards an official in relation to her duties as a Veterinary Officer at the Tamworth Jockey Club meeting on Friday, 26 April 2024 by reason of the following particulars: 

1. He is a licensed trainer with Racing NSW.
2. He is the trainer of the horse Lonhro’s Queen which was engaged to run in Race 5, the Class 1 Handicap at the Tamworth race meeting on Friday, 26 April 2024.
3. Dr C Richardson is a registered Veterinarian who was officiating at the Tamworth meeting on 26 April 2024 as a Veterinary Officer and, as part of her duties, was required to collect blood samples from horses nominated by the Stewards.
4. As Dr Richardson was attempting to collect a pre-race blood sample from Lonhro’s Queen he said, in an aggressive manner, words to the effect of “are you kidding” and “have you ever needled a horse before?”
5. His conduct, as detailed above in particular 4, was improper behaviour towards Dr Richardson in relation to her duties as a Veterinary Officer at the Tamworth race meeting on that day. 

Plea Guilty 

Penalty 

The following penalty considerations were taken into account.  

• Mr Crockett’s guilty plea
• His good disciplinary recordHis personal and professional circumstances
• Principle of specific and general deterrence and what message is sent to the industry in respect to such conduct
• Purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image and interests of the thoroughbred industry 

Stewards believed that the appropriate penalty was a fine of $1500. Having regard to Mr Crockett’s guilty plea and other mitigating factors, the fine was varied to $1000.

Acting under AR283(5), Stewards ruled that $250 of that fine be suspended for a period of 12 months on the basis that he does not commit a breach of any conduct-related rule during that period. Accordingly, Mr Crockett incurred a fine of $750. 

Relevant Rule 

 AR 228 Conduct detrimental to the interests of racing 

A person must not engage in: 

(c) improper or insulting behaviour at any time towards a PRA, the Stewards, a Club, or any official, employee, contractor or agent of any of them in relation to the relevant person’s functions, powers or duties.