Freedmans hand stable keys to Douglas during four-week ban imposed for treatment offences

Group 1-winning trainer Clayton Douglas will act as caretaker for the stables of Anthony and Sam Freedman while the father-and-son duo serves a 28-day ban for the illegal treatment of horses on race day.

The four-week disqualification was imposed by the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) in a decision handed down on Wednesday, almost 11 months since an employee of the Freedmans was found to have “inadvertently” treated two horses with a nebuliser.

The offences occurred on August 16 last year, with the two horses Kira and Moonhaven accepted to race at Caulfield later that day.

They were both scratched by order of stewards. The Freedmans pleaded guilty to the charges.

The ban, which comes into effect on Thursday, is in addition to a $1500 fine imposed for failing to keep up-to-date treatment records.

The VRT ruling, which made an exception to the mandatory six-month disqualification for such offences, means the pair won’t be out of action for the spring when stable stars such as Godolphin’s three-time Group 1 winner Tom Kitten are expected to be contesting premier carnival races.

In a statement, the Freedmans acknowledged the penalties delivered by the VRT.

“Although the team are understandably disappointed by the penalties imposed, we have both accepted the outcome and have confidence in the respected and competent team who will manage the operation during the interim period,” they said.

In recent times, Sam Freedman has overseen operations at Pinecliff and Cranbourne, with Anthony based at the business’ Randwick stables.

They said their staff of 60 would remain in place to ensure the stable continued to run smoothly under the tutelage of Douglas, who trains Everest and Group 1-winning sprinter Giga Kick.

“The care, training and welfare of the horses will remain unchanged, and owners can be assured that, under Clayton’s leadership, their horses will continue to receive the same level of attention and professionalism they have come to expect from our team,” they wrote.

“We would like to publicly state that we stand by our stable staff, they work long hours, they take pride in their work and are fully committed to the care and wellbeing of our bloodstock.

“Our priority is ensuring the team continues to cooperate with Racing Victoria to meet their requirements across the interim period, whilst managing a seamless transition for bloodstock, staff and owners.”

The Freedmans, who have more than 170 named horses on their books, will need to reapply for their training licences at the completion of their 28-day disqualification.