Improper conduct charge brings $5000 fine for Caulfield trainer

Caulfield trainer Rick Hore-Lacy has been fined $5000 by Victoria’s Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board for improper conduct.

Racing Victoria Stewards had charged Hore-Lacy under AR 175 (q) which states “Any person who in their opinion is guilty of any misconduct, improper conduct or unseemly behaviour” at an inquiry which was set up after an incident at his stables more than three years ago.

The charge arose from an indecent assault on a female staff member which took place at his Caulfield stable in December 2008 and Hore-Lacy has until July 31 to pay.

This penalty comes a week after stable star Toorak Toff was retired from racing to prepare for his first season at stud after finishing fourteenth to Hay List in the Group 1 $1m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m)  at Flemington on March 10.

Hore-Lacy had steered Toorak Toff to two Group 1 wins in the $1m Toohey’s New Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on August 28, 2010 and the 1400m $350,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield on September 24 last year.

Rosemount Stud Anthony Mithen purchased a controlling share in Toorak Toff and the stallion’s effort in the Newmarket first up was a fitting way to end his career.

“He was attempting to do something no horse had done for a long time, winning a Newmarket first-up,” Mithen said.

“It was a great run. We tossed up the idea of going to Sydney but decided to give him a break and prepare him for the breeding season.”

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.