Mr Mitchell Reese - Inquiry Concluded

Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards have concluded an Inquiry into relation to the following matters:

• Mr Reese’s pre-race involvement with the horse GARGZDAI GIRL prior to its win at Newcastle on Friday, 20 January 2017;

• Mr Reese’s involvement in the possession and supply of unregistered and/or prohibited substances.

Previously, Mr Reese pleaded guilty to a charge issued by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 187 (6) and (7) as follows:

Charge 1

AHRR 187 (6)  A person shall not frustrate or endeavour to frustrate an inquiry or investigation.

(7)  A person who fails to comply with any provision of this rule is guilty of an offence.

In addition, Mr Reese was found guilty of a further three (3) charges issued by HRNSW Stewards as follows:

Charge 2 -                  Pursuant to AHRR 196A (1)(ii) & 2 as follows:

AHRR 196A.(1)  A person shall not administer or cause to be administered to a horse any prohibited substance

1. for the purpose of affecting the performance or behaviour of a horse in a race or of preventing its starting in a race; or
2. (ii)  which is detected in any sample taken from such horse prior to or following the running of any race.

(2)   A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.

Charge 3 -                  Pursuant to AHRR 194A (as from 11 December 2015) as follows:

AHRR 194A.  A person who sells, supplies, distributes or attempts to sell, supply or distribute any substance or preparation that has not been registered, labelled, prescribed or obtained in compliance with relevant State and Commonwealth legislation is guilty of an offence.

Charge 4 -      Pursuant to AHRR 187 (2) as follows:

AHRR 187      (2)  A person shall not refuse to answer questions or to produce a horse, document, substance or piece of equipment, or give false or misleading evidence or information at an inquiry or investigation.

Following the consideration of penalty submissions and associated documents provided by Mr Reese’s legal representative on his behalf, HRNSW Stewards have imposed the following penalties:

Charge 1-       Eighteen (18) months disqualification to commence from 7 December 2018, the date upon which Mr Reese was stood down pursuant to AHRR 183. As a result, the penalty in relation to this matter expired on 7 June 2020.

Charge 2-       Ten (10) year disqualification to commence from 7 June 2020 and to expire on 7 June 2030;

Charge 3-      Three (3) year disqualification to commence from 7 June 2030 and to expire on 7 June 2033;

Charge 4-       Twelve (12) months disqualification to commence from 7 June 2033 and to expire on 7 June 2034.

In total, HRNSW Stewards have imposed a total period of fifteen years (15) years and six (6) months disqualification upon Mr Reese to commence from 7 December 2018 and to expire on 7 June 2034.

In consideration of an appropriate penalty, HRNSW Stewards were mindful of the following:

• Mr Reese’s licence history and offence record during his involvement in the harness racing industry;
• Mr Reese’s personal subjective facts and penalty submissions provided on his behalf.
• The seriousness of these matters and circumstances involved;
• The second prohibited substance matter in which Mr Reese has been involved;
• Pleas entered by Mr Reese;

Mr Reese has lodged an appeal against these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: