McGrath back.

[Honestjohn]

Great read by Brad Reid about our industry. Cheats from the top down.  First the dogs will go then trots,  and they both deserve what they get. 

 

Hj

[Chief Stipe]

HRNZ Board approves application from disqualified licenseholder

18 November 2022

in New Zealand, Top 4

 0

 

 

The response to last week’s article about apathy and tolerance regarding animal abuse within the harness racing industry was overwhelming, to say the least.

While I shouldn’t have been surprised given the topic is somewhat taboo in the racing media, I was surprised at those that took the time to reach out in acknowledgment.

I have no desire to become the martyr for industry integrity and would much prefer to write about the many hard-working and high-character people that make up our industry.

 

 

 

However, I felt a line in the sand needed to be drawn. It was heartfelt and I hope it was interpreted as such.

 

You see for while the context of last week’s article centered around the silence from our license holders in denouncing their peers, it has since come to light that our governing body is equally complicit when it comes to approaching this serious issue.

At the HRNZ Board meeting on the 7th of November 2022, the board of directors approved an application from Nigel McGrath to break and gait yearling horses, less than 3 years into an 8-year disqualification.

This was made possible by an amendment to Rule 1303(1) which was updated to the following:

(1) A person who is disqualified may not during the period of disqualification:

(c) Assist or be involved in any capacity in the breaking or gaiting of any
horse, without the written consent of the Board.

The underlined sentence was added to the rules and came into effect on the 20th of October 2021 without much conjecture.

We can get into the overall dynamic and some of the board members influencing both the rule change and actions since it came into effect in a follow up article, but for now it’s best we stick to the knitting.

HRNZ sent a delegation to the property of Nigel McGrath leading into the Cup Meeting.

They weren’t to know about the drama that was to unfold on its biggest day of the year at a licensed training establishment, however one would question:

a) why would the governing body go to the suspended license holder’s property? Can you imagine WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) going to the property of Lance Armstrong because HE wanted to ride in the Tour de France again?

b) Given the magnitude of Cup Week and the increased exposure it brings to the industry, was any consideration given to the fact that such a polarising issue might be better suited to a time when the industry is less vulnerable?

c) why were some of the HRNZ Board members unaware of the visit until after the fact?

On Monday before the Cup meeting, much to the surprise (and disgust) of some of the board, the application was approved.

Fortunately for those of you with a conscience, I can report that the board was not unanimous in its support for the approval.

Harness Racing New Zealand are still in the process of finalising the conditions which are to be approved by CEO, Gary Woodham, and not the HRNZ Board.

However, 11 days after making such a brazen decision, there has been no official statement from the Governing Body who instead have remained steadfast in their approach that no rules have been broken, and no official statement would be made regarding the decision.

Strong leaders stand behind the decisions they make on behalf of their stakeholders, not behind some piss weak rule change that allows a convicted drug cheat and animal abuser less than a third of the way through his suspension the ability to earn an income from the sport.

Given Coulam’s desire to put on a pair of soccer boots and kick an own goal for the industry, I gave him the opportunity to respond to a series of questions. He responded with the following.

 

Good evening Brad,

With regards to your questions, I comment as follows:

A number of your questions have no factual basis. The allegations and assertions are not accepted by HRNZ and I don’t propose to respond to them.

Under HRNZ’s rules a disqualified person may apply to the HRNZ Board to break and gait a horse.  At their meeting on 7th November 2022 the HRNZ Board approved an application from Nigel McGrath to break and gait yearling horses with conditions attached.  These conditions are in the process of being finalised.

Regards

John Coulam

Chair HRNZ

 

For full disclosure, I have deleted only two of the questions sent to the Chairman due to the nature in which they were asked, however I don’t believe any of the others are too far out of order in what one could reasonably expect answers for?

1. If the rules of the sport are to punish and deter, what message does HRNZ believe they are sending to the participants and fellow license holders allowing a repeat animal abuser to derive an income from the very animals he abused? Less than 3 years into an 8-year sentence.
2. Does HRNZ and its board unanimously agree on the decision to allow Nigel McGrath the ability to break and pre train horses?
3. Why were not all board members aware of the fact that HRNZ were pursuing this matter?
4. Were industry funds used to seek legal advice as the specific ruling of the term ‘pre training’ in 2021?
5. Was this rule change/assertion/amendment made while an owner and friend of Nigel McGrath was still on the board?
6. Has a serious precedent been set by HRNZ with this ruling?
7. Can the five or so others suspended for administering now apply for a license to pre-train? And if not, why not? Many of them are more than a third of the way into their own suspension!
8. If our industry is dependent on the social license for which we operate, does the HRNZ board believe this outcome to let a serial offender back in to the industry to be in the best interests of the sport?
9. Does HRNZ believe it to be necessary and ok to allow a repeat animal abuser to earn an income from the helpless animals he administered substances too?
10. Do you emphatically believe you have made this decision in the best interests of the sport and its participants?
11. Is it true an HRNZ Board member who voted on the decision, took horses from Nigel McGrath upon his suspension, and furthermore has given him business by way of horses to break, pretrain and graze? Is this not a conflict of interests?
12. Why did HRNZ and some of its board members deem it appropriate to even hear a case from Nigel McGrath at his own property, and why was that deemed the best course of action?
13. Has a former chair, associate, friend and client of Nigel Mcgrath had any involvement in helping to get this case heard?
14. Why were the RIB not notified of an exemption allowing Nigel McGrath the ability to transport horses to licensed training/breeding premises?
15. Given any act deemed to be bringing the industry into disrepute is a punishable offense, can you confidently say that our very own board is not guilty by the same metric? Would this be palatable with the likes of the RSPCA, Racing Minister or the broader public?

How can our board members, elected by the clubs of HRNZ, and working in the best interests of the participants genuinely believe they are doing the right thing by supporting these types of people? Allowing repeat offenders to resume working in the industry at any level before their suspension has ended? Whose interests are they really serving?

How can these types of individuals be allowed to own earn an income working with the very animals they abused and take opportunities from other honest hard-working participants?

Whether HRNZ is standing or hiding behind the approved application of McGrath is open for interpretation, however I want to leave you with the following.

The HRNZ Chair was a principal for 30 years of Catholic High Schools and has served a decorated education career.

If we turn this thing around and compare apples with apples in an industry he is familiar with, perhaps the point becomes more salient?

If a teacher was found to have had physically harmed or abused a child while under the care of the school, naturally that Teacher would, if the facts were to be proven, be punished, and likely have their license to teach terminated. Naturally this would make it extremely difficult to work in the education sector in the future, having broken the law and code of conduct one assumes when entering that profession.

If the now former teacher was struggling financially and had struggled to find work in other sectors given teaching was all they were trained to do, would the education sector take pity on them? Would they visit them and accept an application for a return to employment in the education sector? Albeit at a reduced capacity, but bearing in mind they had already been given a second chance?

I said it last week, our own participants are the greatest threat to our industry and that now includes our own elected officers.

Proceeding this article in the coming days will be the industry reaction, for which there has been plenty.

I can confidently say that 95% of the industry participants that I have spoken to think that the person involved is a likeable fella. I can also confidently say that 100% of them think that the approved application to break and gait horses is an absolute piss take.

 

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink

[Brodie]

There is no integrity now in Harness Racing in NZ!

I keep saying that the judiciary for harness is incompetent but seriously what is the point in having an INTEGRITY UNIT???

Problem is we have numerous dickheads that they are training up who are just useless, but that seems to be a prerequisite nowadays!

Dont worry it will not get better, harness racing industry is in tatters!!!!!!

[paleface adios]

well well well that's great news Nigels allowed to break in horses so many bad mannered horses nowadays what better way to send your horse to group one trainer . your horse will end up will educated  . having purchased many a horse off Nigel they always great manners and great stockmen ship . so best best of luck Nigel . ps bet the keyboard warriors are out in force  or to busy shagging sheep 

[Robalan]

I agree with Brad reid, that Nigel mcGrath is a likeable fella. He is also a liar and a cheat. He was caught in the action of doping a horse. He had also been found guilty of the same thing on previous ocasions. His actions after he was caught on the last occasion were to lie to and seek sympathy from other industry participants. 

The actions of the Board of HRNZ and in particular its Chief Executive Woodham are both corrupt and bring Harness Racing into disrepute.

The granting of a licence to pre train and educate young horses was also extended to a previous offender and woman beater, and this person is now involved in the most recent case of a person caught in the act of doping a horse.

The actions of the administrators of HRNZ make a farce of the rules and the actions and existence of the Racing integrity Unit.

The next thing we will hear that Mitchell Kerr has been similarly reinstated.

If any member of the HRNZ Board was not aware of the actions of thier Chief Executive, they should immediately and publicly call for his resignation as he is guilty of corruption and cronyism.

If they are not prepared to do that then they should resign from the board

[Brodie]

1 hour ago, Robalan said:

I agree with Brad reid, that Nigel mcGrath is a likeable fella. He is also a liar and a cheat. He was caught in the action of doping a horse. He had also been found guilty of the same thing on previous ocasions. His actions after he was caught on the last occasion were to lie to and seek sympathy from other industry participants. 

The actions of the Board of HRNZ and in particular its Chief Executive Woodham are both corrupt and bring Harness Racing into disrepute.

The granting of a licence to pre train and educate young horses was also extended to a previous offender and woman beater, and this person is now involved in the most recent case of a person caught in the act of doping a horse.

The actions of the administrators of HRNZ make a farce of the rules and the actions and existence of the Racing integrity Unit.

The next thing we will hear that Mitchell Kerr has been similarly reinstated.

If any member of the HRNZ Board was not aware of the actions of thier Chief Executive, they should immediately and publicly call for his resignation as he is guilty of corruption and cronyism.

If they are not prepared to do that then they should resign from the board

Doubt it will happen Robalan, Kiwis just go with the flow nowadays and accept what is said and done.

Do not see any need for an Integrity Unit if this is what Integrity means?

Apathy is just so prevalent in society and that is one of the reasons we have the country in turmoil.

Wokeism is rife.

Edited November 18, 2022 by Brodie

[Robalan]

One can only hope. If something isn't done shortly. then I am afraid we will see the demise of Harness racing in our lifetime. Surely the Minister for Racing must be aware of what's happening, if not then he must be informed. The whole restructuring of the RIU was done as part of the deal for bailing out the TAB. The then Minister of Racing , Grant Robertson was concerned at the lack of ethics and direction in racing and I am sure his relacement Kieran Mcanulty would be very interested in what's going on

[hunterthepunter]

14 minutes ago, Robalan said:

 The whole restructuring of the RIU was done as part of the deal for bailing out the TAB. 

so Robalan your saying the RIU spent all the TAB money on a witch hunt

[Robalan]

I have no idea what you're implying

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Robalan said:

He was caught in the action of doping a horse. He had also been found guilty of the same thing on previous ocasions. His actions after he was caught on the last occasion were to lie to and seek sympathy from other industry participants. 

2004 Blue Magic - not the only Trainer caught that is still racing.

2020 allegedly was going to administer an unknown substance.  Is it correct no substance was identified nor was it administered?  That is he was caught in the "process of administering a prohibited substance".  What that substance was isn't known.

The penalty he was given reflected his behaviour and lack of cooperation.

Been worse examples in Australian racing and Trainers have been allowed back.

[Rangatira]

47 minutes ago, hunterthepunter said:

so Robalan your saying the RIU spent all the TAB money on a witch hunt

son of witchlight

closely related to witch hunt ?

[hunterthepunter]

1 hour ago, Rangatira said:

son of witchlight

closely related to witch hunt ?

Russell Hitchock .graham Russell

[Robalan]

I agree with you to a certain degree Chief, yes there have been worse examples and yes his behaviour was reflected in the penalty he was given

[Honestjohn]

On 11/19/2022 at 11:04 AM, paleface adios said:

well well well that's great news Nigels allowed to break in horses so many bad mannered horses nowadays what better way to send your horse to group one trainer . your horse will end up will educated  . having purchased many a horse off Nigel they always great manners and great stockmen ship . so best best of luck Nigel . ps bet the keyboard warriors are out in force  or to busy shagging sheep 

so you're happy with a cheat getting back into the game.  should have been a life ban.  guys prolly realised he's missing the money.  he will do it again,  can't help himself the idiot!! 

 

Hj

[Chief Stipe]

3 hours ago, Honestjohn said:

so you're happy with a cheat getting back into the game.  should have been a life ban.  guys prolly realised he's missing the money.  he will do it again,  can't help himself the idiot!! 

 

Hj

If McGrath deserved a life ban then on the same criteria half of the Trainers and Drivers should as well.

Harden up.  Or do you have another agenda?

[the galah]

I think the focus shouldn't really be on McGrath when it comes to discussing this topic. It should be on the processes and decision makers which lead to him being able to break in horses.I think that was the point of the original article.

I also think the other main point was how many,often high profile participants say things which we know not to be true around someone's honesty,just because they want to be seen saying the right things. Just goggle the mcgrath cases and see who supported him.I often wonder how stupid and gullible some of those people actually think everyone is.

We shouldn't blame Mcgrath for seeking to again be involved in the harness industry in some way other than the racing side of things. He's just doing what he can to support his family and use the knowledge and skills he has.I don't have any sympathy for him,but you can't blame him for that.

Those who make the decisions around penalties in cases like this make a point of being consistent and fair,based on the facts proven.People sometimes still dispute the facts after a case is decided,but penalties are much harder to dispute. Thats because consistency on penalties is something that is a separate component,which those who make the decisions have the background to be called the best experts in.

So having said that,what we have seen in this case is industry leaders consider they should be able to over ride penalties given,yet they have done so with no apparent justification and seem in some ways to have personal connections to the person that is benefitting. Thats why its wrong.

Maybe in the future the best way to avoid such decisions by industry leaders would for the power of giving someone a pathway back in the industry to be left with those who make the original decisions around penalties.That should be something dealt with at the time and with appropriate timeframes as to when future pathways may apply.

All we have had here is industry leaders stoking the fires of dissolution in an industry that can't afford such division.

Edited November 20, 2022 by the galah

[hunterthepunter]

1 hour ago, the galah said:

I think the focus shouldn't really be on McGrath when it comes to discussing this topic. It should be on the processes and decision makers which lead to him being able to break in horses.I think that was the point of the original article.

I also think the other main point was how many,often high profile participants say things which we know not to be true around someone's honesty,just because they want to be seen saying the right things. Just goggle the mcgrath cases and see who supported him.I often wonder how stupid and gullible some of those people actually think everyone is.

We shouldn't blame Mcgrath for seeking to again be involved in the harness industry in some way other than the racing side of things. He's just doing what he can to support his family and use the knowledge and skills he has.I don't have any sympathy for him,but you can't blame him for that.

Those who make the decisions around penalties in cases like this make a point of being consistent and fair,based on the facts proven.People sometimes still dispute the facts after a case is decided,but penalties are much harder to dispute. Thats because consistency on penalties is something that is a separate component,which those who make the decisions have the background to be called the best experts in.

So having said that,what we have seen in this case is industry leaders consider they should be able to over ride penalties given,yet they have done so with no apparent justification and seem in some ways to have personal connections to the person that is benefitting. Thats why its wrong.

Maybe in the future the best way to avoid such decisions by industry leaders would for the power of giving someone a pathway back in the industry to be left with those who make the original decisions around penalties.That should be something dealt with at the time and with appropriate timeframes as to when future pathways may apply.

All we have had here is industry leaders stoking the fires of dissolution in an industry that can't afford such division.

must be doing something right grazing horses for all Canterburys leading stables. first two horse that will be break in out of harness jewels winners 

[Chief Stipe]

11 hours ago, the galah said:

I think the focus shouldn't really be on McGrath when it comes to discussing this topic. It should be on the processes and decision makers which lead to him being able to break in horses.I think that was the point of the original article.

I also think the other main point was how many,often high profile participants say things which we know not to be true around someone's honesty,just because they want to be seen saying the right things. Just goggle the mcgrath cases and see who supported him.I often wonder how stupid and gullible some of those people actually think everyone is.

We shouldn't blame Mcgrath for seeking to again be involved in the harness industry in some way other than the racing side of things. He's just doing what he can to support his family and use the knowledge and skills he has.I don't have any sympathy for him,but you can't blame him for that.

Those who make the decisions around penalties in cases like this make a point of being consistent and fair,based on the facts proven.People sometimes still dispute the facts after a case is decided,but penalties are much harder to dispute. Thats because consistency on penalties is something that is a separate component,which those who make the decisions have the background to be called the best experts in.

So having said that,what we have seen in this case is industry leaders consider they should be able to over ride penalties given,yet they have done so with no apparent justification and seem in some ways to have personal connections to the person that is benefitting. Thats why its wrong.

Conjecture.

Other Racing Jurisdictions allow offenders back why should NZ be any different?  There probably isn't a major OZ Thoroughbred Trainer that hasn't returned a prohibited drug positive in their career.

Reid comparing McGrath to a Paedophile Teacher is a completely off analogy.  What is Reid's agenda?  

 

[Chief Stipe]

11 hours ago, the galah said:

All we have had here is industry leaders stoking the fires of dissolution in an industry that can't afford such division.

I don't believe they do.  What is evident is that there is a group of malcontents in the industry who seem to having an agenda to bring the successful owners and trainers down.  THEY are the ones who feed the fires.  THEY often do it by hiding behind private social media channels and by providing the RIB and anti-racing journalists with information.  The latter often is pure conjecture and speculation rather than based on fact.

In New Zealand it is impossible to have anyone who doesn't have some personal connection to those who run racing.  

[the galah]

39 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Conjecture.

Other Racing Jurisdictions allow offenders back why should NZ be any different?  There probably isn't a major OZ Thoroughbred Trainer that hasn't returned a prohibited drug positive in their career.

 

Again,that is not what i have said.

If it is to happen, I said it should happen in a consistent, fair and transparent way.

40 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

I don't believe they do.  What is evident is that there is a group of malcontents in the industry who seem to having an agenda to bring the successful owners and trainers down.  THEY are the ones who feed the fires.  THEY often do it by hiding behind private social media channels and by providing the RIB and anti-racing journalists with information.  The latter often is pure conjecture and speculation rather than based on fact.

  

Thats laughable for you to suggest people are malcontents because they believe in having level playing fields when it comes to integrity issues.Others may share that view,but they are in the minority. I can say i have never met anyone who has said that. 

People with opinions like that are what drives people away from the sport. Why would anyone bother supporting an industry that has even a small % who think like that. No wonder harness racing has an uncertain future if anyone who thinks like that has any influence in running it.

[Brodie]

Just take the word INTEGRITY out of the the RIU!!!
Just needs to be Racing Unit!

How anyone can have confidence is this bunch is difficult to comprehend!

we were told that harness racing was going to be cleaned up and improved, but Brodie has yet to see any of this!

Self destructing unfortunately, no wonder people are leaving the industry and losing punters as they lose interest!!

[Honestjohn]

14 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

If McGrath deserved a life ban then on the same criteria half of the Trainers and Drivers should as well.

Harden up.  Or do you have another agenda?

 

Nope just hate cheats!! 

 

Hj

[Honestjohn]

33 minutes ago, Brodie said:

Just take the word INTEGRITY out of the the RIU!!!
Just needs to be Racing Unit!

How anyone can have confidence is this bunch is difficult to comprehend!

we were told that harness racing was going to be cleaned up and improved, but Brodie has yet to see any of this!

Self destructing unfortunately, no wonder people are leaving the industry and losing punters as they lose interest!!

 

Exactly,  I'm not aware of any of my trainers being guilty of dishonesty charges.  Although after I sacked a horse with 1 trainer and  I never went back and the guy was found guilty of dishonesty charges.  His stories were just unbelievable. 

 

Hj

[Honestjohn]

On 11/19/2022 at 2:21 PM, Chief Stipe said:

2004 Blue Magic - not the only Trainer caught that is still racing.

2020 allegedly was going to administer an unknown substance.  Is it correct no substance was identified nor was it administered?  That is he was caught in the "process of administering a prohibited substance".  What that substance was isn't known.

The penalty he was given reflected his behaviour and lack of cooperation.

Been worse examples in Australian racing and Trainers have been allowed back.

 

I'm starting to wonder if you have an "agenda" with your defense of McGrath? 

 

Hj

[Chief Stipe]

7 minutes ago, Honestjohn said:

 

I'm starting to wonder if you have an "agenda" with your defense of McGrath? 

 

Hj

No agenda.  I have no financial interest in any race horse.

However I am sick and tired of the holier than thou types, many of whom are hypocrites, who seem intent on bringing down individuals in the industry for ANY reason they can find.

Some are motivated by envy, others malice and some because they don't want harness racing to exist at all.

Then we have the anonymous carrion feeders that delight in feeding on the demise of others.