Mr Brad Abbott - Inquiry Conducted

Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry yesterday into a report received from the Australian Government National Measurement Institute (NMI) that Arsenic above the allowable threshold had been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from the horse DON BOSTON following its win in race 4, the HOTEL DUDLEY PACE (1730 metres) conducted at Bathurst on Wednesday 5 July 2023.

The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by the ChemCentre in Western Australia.

Mr Abbott appeared at the Inquiry and presented evidence in relation to his registered training establishment and the horse DON BOSTON. Evidence was also provided by HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian, Dr Martin Wainscott, referencing a study conducted by the University of Melbourne to research the levels of arsenic in horses that had ingested a known amount of CCA treated timber sawdust.

In addition, evidence including photographs which showed extensive chewing of wooden fence posts at Mr Abbott’s registered training establishment was provided to the Inquiry.

HRNSW Stewards also presented a Report of Analysis from the National Measurement Institute (NMI) confirming that wood samples obtained Mr Abbott’s registered training establishment contained the substance Arsenic.

Mr Abbott pleaded guilty to a charge issued pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4) for presenting DON BOSTON to race not free of a prohibited substance, being Arsenic above the allowable threshold.

In respect of that charge, Mr Abbott was convicted, however, Stewards did not impose a penalty on Mr Abbott as they were satisfied to the requisite standard that the detection of Arsenic was consistent with the chronic ingestion of treated wood by DON BOSTON.

Mr Abbott was cautioned that he must take all reasonable measures in future to manage his training establishment and horses to prevent any further prohibited substance matters arising as a result of the wooden fencing at his registered training establishment.

In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;

• Mr Abbott’s first Prohibited Substance offence;
• Mr Abbott’s guilty plea;
• Circumstances involved in this matter;
• Class 3 Prohibited substance;
• The results reported by NMI and ChemCentre;
• The evidence presented by Mr Abbott and Dr Wainscott;
• Mr Abbott’s licence history and other personal subjective facts.

Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, DON BOSTON was disqualified from the abovementioned race.

Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 28 racing clubs across the State.  HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.