Breeder Neale Bruce to appeal six-year ban for welfare breaches

Racing NSW stewards have disqualified Hunter Valley thoroughbred breeder and owner Neale Bruce for six-and-a-half years after finding him guilty of 13 charges relating to the destruction and disposal of horses in his care at Berkeley Park Stud.

The charges followed an investigation into the death of 13 thoroughbred horses at the Blandford property in August this year, with eight horses euthanised by firearm and five transported alive to Kankool Pet Food for destruction and processing.

Racing NSW officials attended Berkeley Park Stud on August 20, interviewed Bruce, and examined records and other evidence relating to the horses.

Following an inquiry at Scone racecourse on September 21, Bruce entered guilty pleas to all 13 amended charges, with stewards recording the findings on September 30.

Charges one to eight related to the destruction of eight horses by firearm without the required written veterinary certification or Racing NSW approval, while charges nine to 13 concerned five horses transported to Kankool Pet Food without established veterinary necessity.

Stewards imposed indicative disqualification penalties of nine months for four charges, 12 months for four charges and 18 months for each of the five charges relating to the horses sent to Kankool Pet Food.

The indicative penalties totalled 14 years and six months, which stewards reduced to an effective aggregate period of 10 years before applying further reductions for Bruce’s guilty pleas, cooperation and personal circumstances.

Bruce’s final penalty was six years and six months’ disqualification, backdated to August 20 and expiring on February 20, 2033.

In determining the penalty, stewards considered Bruce’s approximately 45 years in the thoroughbred industry without previous disciplinary findings, his health and financial circumstances, the number of horses involved and the seriousness of the offences.

Stewards also acknowledged welfare considerations relating to some of the horses, including evidence of injury or deterioration and circumstances in which Bruce had been left responsible for their care.

Bruce has lodged an appeal against the severity of the penalty only and is not contesting the findings of guilt.