Kiwia ridden by John Allen trained by Darren Weir winning the Listed Sportsbet Ballarat Cup (2200m) at Ballarat on 24 November 2018 – photo by Quentin Lang / Copyright
Darren Weir has been handed a two-year ban by the Victorian Racing Tribunal following a hearing regarding animal cruelty charges.
The charges stemmed from the use of a jigger, an electric shock device, on horses in his care.
Previously, Racing Victoria stewards requested a harsher penalty – a 10-year ban on top of the four-year disqualification Weir already served, which expired in February 2023.
Weir’s defence argued for leniency, stating his remorse and rehabilitation.
Weir admitted guilt to the animal cruelty charges, while separate accusations of corruption were dismissed earlier this year.
The official verdict, announced today, imposes a two-year ban on the former Melbourne Cup-winning trainer.