Kempsey trainer disqualified for six months

Kempsey trainer Julie Lynch has been disqualified by Racing NSW stewards for six months over treatment to one of her horses, who suffered a catastrophic leg injury and had to be euthanised.

A Racing NSW integrity investigation was launched after seven-year-old Sacred Fields was euthanised at Lynch’s stables on March 18.

A subsequent inquiry was held earlier this week into the circumstances surrounding euthanasia and prior care afforded to Sacred Field.

From the evidence gathered, stewards issued a charge under AR231(1)(b)(iii) regarding care and welfare of a horse.

It related to the stewards’ findings that Lynch failed to provide obtain appropriate veterinary treatment when the gelding first sustained an injury just before 9am on March 18.

It was determined that the gelding exhibited non-weight-bearing lameness, but a veterinarian wasn’t called until 4:03pm that afternoon. The horse was euthanised alter that day after it was diagnosed with a catastrophic leg injury.

Lynch entered a guilty plea to the charge and a nine-month disqualification was reduced to six in consideration of that plea and other circumstances.

She has been disqualified from May 6 until November 6 but an appeal has been lodged.