Owner and Forbes Jockey Club president Grayson disqualified
Racing NSW stewards have disqualified Forbes Jockey Club president and registered owner Randal Grayson for nine months after he pleaded guilty to two charges relating to the care and welfare of the mare Spectrum’s Image.
The inquiry followed an investigation into the 27-year-old mare’s condition after she was examined by a veterinarian on May 21, 2026, with a body condition score of 1/9 and significant dental deterioration, before being euthanised on May 30 after she was found unable to stand.
Grayson pleaded guilty to a charge under Australian Rule of Racing 231 for failing to exercise reasonable care, control or supervision to prevent the mare’s body condition from declining to an unacceptable level.
Stewards found that Grayson had not supervised the mare or made inquiries into her condition between about January and May 20, 2026, before the mare was examined in an emaciated state.
He also pleaded guilty to a charge under Local Rule 114(3) after stewards found he failed to take reasonable steps, including arranging veterinary or dental examination, to prevent the mare from unnecessary pain or suffering.
In determining penalty, stewards considered the seriousness of the offences, the welfare implications for the mare, Grayson’s guilty pleas, cooperation with the inquiry, efforts to rehabilitate the mare and previous penalty precedents.
Stewards imposed a nine-month disqualification on each charge, reduced from a 12-month starting point after taking mitigating factors into account, with the penalties to be served concurrently.
The disqualification will run from June 10, 2026, until March 10, 2027, after stewards deferred its commencement for seven days to allow arrangements for the management of Forbes Jockey Club, and Grayson was advised of his right to appeal.
