McGrath

[paleface adios]

McGrath  allowed  back training  full time

[Gammalite]

1 hour ago, paleface adios said:

McGrath  allowed  back training  full time

About time . think it was 2020 he went out DQ. Appealed a heap of times at the Totally rediculous length of sentence for administering milkshake race-day of 8 years . Failing again in his appeal last May 2024.

Perhaps he appealed again this year ? and someone at HRNZ has seen the light and re-licensed him. 

(the penalty in Aus for milkshake is one year DQ, and would be longer if offended a 2nd time) 

[Rangatira]

3 hours ago, paleface adios said:

McGrath  allowed  back training  full time

I feel you have gone of somewhat early blushing face

before acceptances maybe even noms

are you feeling a bit dizzy?

Edited June 14 by Rangatira

[paleface adios]

7 hours ago, Rangatira said:

I feel you have gone of somewhat early blushing face

before acceptances maybe even noms

are you feeling a bit dizzy?

On hrnz  website  that he's  back did not see that .magical  mad max

[Chief Stipe]

[Chief Stipe]

 June 2025

OFFICIAL NOTICE

DECISION OF HRNZ EXEMPTIONS COMMITTEE UNDER RULE 1303(3)

N R MCGRATH

Mr McGrath is currently Disqualified for a period of 8 years commencing 13 July 2020 until 12 July

2028 and is subject to the restricƟons set out in sub-rules (1) and (2) of rule 1303.

Having completed more than half of his disqualification, Mr McGrath is now eligible under rule 1303(3) to apply to have the restricƟons removed and his applicaƟon has been considered by the HRNZ

ExempƟons Commitee.

The following exempyions have been granted:

1. The restricƟon under rule 1303(1)(a) is removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualificayion, with effect that he will be able as principal or agent to enter or run a horse in any race, either in his own name or in the name of any other person.

2. The restriction under rule 1303(1)(c) is condiƟonally removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to assist or be involved in the gaitng of any horse after 1 October in the year before it becomes a two-year-old in any capacity other than as a trainer or stablehand.

3. The restriction under Rule 1303(2)(a) is conditionally removed for the full remainer of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to assist or be involved in the gaitng of any horse after 1 October in the year before it becomes a two-year-old in any capacity other than as a trainer or stablehand.

4. The restriction under rule 1303(2)(b) is conditionally removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to enter or remain on a racecourse or any other place under the control of a club when being used for trials, workouts, or (subject to him obtaining an exemption under the Racecourse Admission Rules) race meetngs but only as a spectator or horse owner and not in any other capacity.

5. The restricƟon under rule 1303(2)(c) is removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to transfer the ownership of any horse either to or from himself.

6. The restriction under rule 1303(2)(d) is condiƟonally removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to enter upon the stable area or area used for training of any property of a licensed person provided he is not involved in any capacity in the training of any horse and provided he does not undertake or partcipate in the work of a stablehand.

At this time, the restrictions applying to Mr McGrath under paragraphs (b), (d), (e) and (f) of sub-rule (1) of rule 1303 remain in place.

Brad Steele

Chief Executive

HRNZ

OFFICIAL-NOTICE-HRNZ-Exemptions-Committee-N-R-McGrath-9-June-2025.pdf

[Rangatira]

4 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

 June 2025

OFFICIAL NOTICE

DECISION OF HRNZ EXEMPTIONS COMMITTEE UNDER RULE 1303(3)

N R MCGRATH

Mr McGrath is currently Disqualified for a period of 8 years commencing 13 July 2020 until 12 July

2028 and is subject to the restricƟons set out in sub-rules (1) and (2) of rule 1303.

Having completed more than half of his disqualification, Mr McGrath is now eligible under rule 1303(3) to apply to have the restricƟons removed and his applicaƟon has been considered by the HRNZ

ExempƟons Commitee.

The following exempyions have been granted:

1. The restricƟon under rule 1303(1)(a) is removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualificayion, with effect that he will be able as principal or agent to enter or run a horse in any race, either in his own name or in the name of any other person.

2. The restriction under rule 1303(1)(c) is condiƟonally removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to assist or be involved in the gaitng of any horse after 1 October in the year before it becomes a two-year-old in any capacity other than as a trainer or stablehand.

3. The restriction under Rule 1303(2)(a) is conditionally removed for the full remainer of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to assist or be involved in the gaitng of any horse after 1 October in the year before it becomes a two-year-old in any capacity other than as a trainer or stablehand.

4. The restriction under rule 1303(2)(b) is conditionally removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to enter or remain on a racecourse or any other place under the control of a club when being used for trials, workouts, or (subject to him obtaining an exemption under the Racecourse Admission Rules) race meetngs but only as a spectator or horse owner and not in any other capacity.

5. The restricƟon under rule 1303(2)(c) is removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to transfer the ownership of any horse either to or from himself.

6. The restriction under rule 1303(2)(d) is condiƟonally removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to enter upon the stable area or area used for training of any property of a licensed person provided he is not involved in any capacity in the training of any horse and provided he does not undertake or partcipate in the work of a stablehand.

At this time, the restrictions applying to Mr McGrath under paragraphs (b), (d), (e) and (f) of sub-rule (1) of rule 1303 remain in place.

Brad Steele

Chief Executive

HRNZ

OFFICIAL-NOTICE-HRNZ-Exemptions-Committee-N-R-McGrath-9-June-2025.pdf 477.34 kB · 0 downloads

What remains in place (in bold)

1303 (1) A disqualified person during a period of disqualification must not:

(a) As principal or agent enter or run a horse in any race, either in their own name or in the name of any other person.

(b) Train any horse, assist or be involved in any capacity in the training of any horse.

(c) Assist or be involved in any capacity in the gaiting of any horse after 1 October in the year before it becomes a two-year-old.

(d) Drive any horse in a race or in any exhibition, workout, trial, race meeting, or harness race event.

(e) Assist or be involved in any capacity with the preparation or presentation of a horse to race at a race meeting, picnic meeting, trial, workout, or gymkhana.

(f) Be engaged by a trainer to work as a stablehand or to work as a stablehand for any period of time. 

[Rangatira]

5 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

6. The restriction under rule 1303(2)(d) is condiƟonally removed for the full remainder of Mr McGrath’s disqualification, with effect that he will be able to enter upon the stable area or area used for training of any property of a licensed person provided he is not involved in any capacity in the training of any horse and provided he does not undertake or partcipate in the work of a stablehand.

 

This looks to mean he is welcome to turn up at Magical Leather Cap Stables for a cup of tea and a Girl Guide biscuit.

[paleface adios]

[Chief Stipe]

6 hours ago, Rangatira said:

This looks to mean he is welcome to turn up at Magical Leather Cap Stables for a cup of tea and a Girl Guide biscuit.

Basically although it would appear that he can be an unlicensed breaker of horses and he can own or part own racehorse.

Difficult to monitor I would have thought.

[Rangatira]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

Difficult to monitor I would have thought.

Yes but ball is in his court and it is a step in the right direction for Nigel so onwards and upwards.

[Chief Stipe]

16 minutes ago, Rangatira said:

Yes but ball is in his court and it is a step in the right direction for Nigel so onwards and upwards.

Personally I think the whole thing has been way over the top.

[Nowornever]

Yes feels like it has dragged on for ages. Probably felt like decades for McGrath

[Brodie]

39 minutes ago, Nowornever said:

Yes feels like it has dragged on for ages. Probably felt like decades for McGrath

Who actually is that?

[Gammalite]

12 minutes ago, Brodie said:

Who actually is that?

His colours are blue like Nigels. maybe CJ de- after being told getting another whip fine/suspension ? 😋

[Nowornever]

A before and after. He might not have aged well.

Nigel before the trial and what he might look like now after 4 years of worry, embarrassment and stress.

 

Edited Monday at 11:53 PM by Nowornever

[Brodie]

16 minutes ago, Nowornever said:

A before and after. He might not have aged well.

Nigel before the trial and what he might look like now after 4 years of worry, embarrassment and stress.

 

Nigel will bounce back no problem.

Surprised he can be bothered getting back into training with  what is looking like happening in a couple years ?

Be interesting to see whether his previous owners are willing to go back? 

[the galah]

Its interesting how ,when mcgrath was given 8 years disqualification,the adjudicators listed 3 aggravating factorrs relating to the case.The second of which was, he was disqualified for 18 months for2 positives in 2004-5(blue magic).Then they said they factored in a small uplift in the penalty,due to the 2 2004 beaches.

that all seemed reasonable. 

But what about the opposite happening with the cran dalgety case heard a couple of weeks ago.

the adjudicator in the dalgety case said this

"the only personal aggravating factor is mr dalgety's previous breaches of the prohibited substance rules.The previous breaches are historical in that they are over a decade ago,and littlem weight is afforded to them in that context. There is NO uplift to the starting point.

so,anyone who can read those 2 decisions.

Clearly the adjudicators did a complete 180 fro dalgety,i guess because hesviewed as more of a protected species than mcgrath.

how else can anyone intepret what the adjudicators said.

And whats the meaning of the word decade. I had always understood a decade to be 10 years.

obviously the dalgety adjudicator,mr  g hall, must think its something else as he said,in one part of his decision, dalgety had 5 positives in 2017,then in another part of their decision,nothing in the last decade.

Dalgety incidentally said his stable reps gave the horse nothing and that i had to have been someone alse who attended the nelson trots.

anyway,it seems double standards still apply when people are dealt with.

just look at mcgrath and dalgety.

mcgrath had 2 positives 15 years prior considered tio be an aggravating factor at sentencing and treated as such.

dalgety has had  7(3 different occasions) over the same 15 year time frame,and they qwere not considered an aggravating factors and were not taken into account.

isn't it obvious why that was. Dalgety was not someone they want to catch,but mcgrath always was.

Edited Tuesday at 01:38 AM by the galah

[Gammalite]

2 hours ago, the galah said:

Dalgety incidentally said his stable reps gave the horse nothing and that i had to have been someone alse who attended the nelson trots.

Dunn's have had a few indescretions as well and even had 4 horses Disqualified from races at Nelson as well in 2017.

That seems a very serious state of affairs if you ask me. and They only got a fine, both Robert and John  (which was cut in half on appeal )  a lot of other people wouldn't of got such a 'favourable outcome'. 

Just this month June,  we are still getting 'Milkshakes' Australian backwater tracks and trainers. 3 so far I think. 

Old  KARDESLER , you would remember having 60 odd starts in NZ around Addington and the traps 2016-2019.  Even driven by Nathan Purdon a few times.

He won another race just a fortnight ago at Mildura,VIctoria , and been Campaigning with a new trainer (Naomi Kerr) past 2-3 months. But just last Friday KARDESLER ran last in the race,  after pulling hard and getting a bit rattled , took on the leaders , etc etc , and stopped to a walk after good form prior. the vet found the problem ok. Elevated TCO2. and Was Interesting to see a stable-mate who went round to take up the running Mid-race ( named 'Sneaky Philtra 😂) went on to win easily as a heavy backed $1.90 favourite . 🤣😋  sneaky tactics alright lol. 😁

poor old 'Kardesler NZ'. probably deserves better than that , for trying so hard . for so many years.  

[Rangatira]

39 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

😋  😁

 

Edited Tuesday at 04:39 AM by Rangatira

[Rangatira]

47 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Dunn's have had a few indescretions as well and even had 4 horses Disqualified from races at Nelson as well in 2017.

That seems a very serious state of affairs if you ask me. and They only got a fine, both Robert and John  (which was cut in half on appeal )  a lot of other people wouldn't of got such a 'favourable outcome'. 

That was the caffeine nobbling incident from memory.

[Rangatira]

https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/disgraced-harness-racing-trainers-return-be-tightly-managed-rnz

[Nowornever]

McGrath cannot hold a trainer’s or driver’s licence and he cannot act as a stable representative or make official decisions on behalf of a training operation. He is allowed to be at a licenced person’s property, but cannot be involved in the training of any horse.

If he is at a licenced person’s property and happens to say that horse looks a bit fat you should increase it's work, would he be breaking the rules? Can he touch a horse?

Is he wearing a wire? This is impossible to enforce. 

[Chief Stipe]

Thursday, 19 June 2025

Disgraced harness racing trainer's return to be 'tightly managed'

 967 0 

Canterbury Christchurch

Nigel McGrath was handed an eight year ban from harness racing in 2020 after he admitted to...

Nigel McGrath was handed an eight year ban from harness racing in 2020 after he admitted to cheating. Photo: Supplied

By Sam Sherwood of RNZ

A prominent Canterbury harness racing trainer banned for eight years after admitting cheating has been granted a “partial return” to the industry.

Nigel McGrath made headlines after he was banned for eight years in July 2020.

The ban came after he admitted charges of attempting to administer a prohibited substance by way of nasal gastric tube, refusing to make a statement, and obstructing a racecourse investigator.

McGrath has 570 wins in his 20-year career with $6 million in stake money.

Harness Racing New Zealand chief executive Brad Steele said a decision had been made allowing him to make a “partial return” to harness racing.

At the last Harness Racing New Zealand annual meeting a rule change was passed allowing any banned party to apply for an exemption if they have served at least half their penalty, Steele said.

McGrath then applied for an exemption.

HRNZ’s exemptions committee met to consider the matter and concluded that some of the conditions regarding McGrath’s ban would change. 

This includes McGrath now being allowed to earn prize money again.

“It is, however, under tightly managed conditions and it is up to him to prove he has changed his ways,” Steele said.

McGrath cannot hold a trainer’s or driver’s licence and he cannot act as a stable representative or make official decisions on behalf of a training operation. He is allowed to be at a licenced person’s property, but cannot be involved in the training of any horse.

He will remain unable to enter a racecourse when a meeting is taking place.

Steele said there would be “zero tolerance”.

“Any breach of these exemptions would result in immediate consequences, including the potential reinstatement of his disqualification.”

McGrath’s involvement would be subject to regular review and monitoring by the Racing Integrity Board and HRNZ.

“The decision balances disciplinary actions with the industry’s obligations to rehabilitate,” Steels said.

“A decision to provide anyone with a chance to be re-integrated should not be mistaken for leniency.”

Steele acknowledged the decision “would not be welcomed by everyone in the sport”.

“We take those comments on board and the issue has prompted us to commit to a review of the industry’s integrity standards and processes.

“It will be an opportunity for everyone in the sport to have their say and will happen shortly.

 

[Trojan]

2 minutes ago, Nowornever said:

McGrath cannot hold a trainer’s or driver’s licence and he cannot act as a stable representative or make official decisions on behalf of a training operation. He is allowed to be at a licenced person’s property, but cannot be involved in the training of any horse.

If he is at a licenced person’s property and happens to say that horse looks a bit fat you should increase it's work, would he be breaking the rules? Can he touch a horse?

Is he wearing a wire? This is impossible to enforce. 

Don't worry they'll be hiding in the hedges watching him only being able to watch what's happening.