THE first race horse trainer in Queensland to face charges of negligence for failing to adequately secure bandages to a horse's legs was found guilty in a stewards' inquiry in Townsville last Saturday.
Hughenden trainer Arthur 'Nippy' Seymour, 63, now has an agonising wait to discover his fate at a sentencing hearing in the next few weeks.
Mr Seymour, a veteran of 40 years in the racing industry, was found guilty of being negligent for failing to secure bandages with stitching or electrical tape as required by the nationally approved gear registers and in accordance with the Australian Racing Rules.
The ruling, after a two-and-a-half hour hearing at Cluden Park racecourse before the chief steward of Racing Queensland Ltd, Wade Birch, could spell the end of Mr Seymour's training career.
There is no precedent for such a penalty, but Mr Birch said he believed the penalty to be imposed could carry a maximum fine of $75,000 and incur a suspension of Mr Seymour's training licence. The case is unprecedented in Queensland racing history and follows the death on November 12 in Julia Creek of jockey Corey Gilby, who fell from one of Mr Seymour's horses in an unofficial trial.
Some 37 witness statements and photographic evidence convinced the stewards that loose strapping on Mr Gilby's horse caused the fall in the two-horse trial.
Mr Gilby died later in hospital.
The guilty finding is sure to send shockwaves around the country's racing stables as strappers and trainers review their taping methods.
It is unknown if Mr Seymour will appeal.
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