Maher pleads guilty over Azkadellia saga

Ben Dorries - Wednesday September 6

Caulfield Cup-winning trainer Ciaron Maher will plead guilty to conduct prejudicial to the image of racing over the ownership of several horses in his stable.

Victorian trainer Ciaron Maher will find out his fate when he faces the RAD board on September 25 Photo: Darryl Sherer

Maher will finally know his fate over the ownership saga involving Group I winner Azkadellia when he fronts the Victorian Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board on September 25.

Stewards claim Maher should have known, at certain times, about the correct ownership of Azkadellia and horses Little Bubulu, Loveable Rogue and Mr Simples.

Queensland conman Peter Foster has been linked to the ownership of the horses which had been listed as being owned by Maher's former racing manager Ben Connolly.

Connolly was stood down from the role last year.

Azkadellia, which has won $1.58 million in prizemoney, has not been allowed to race since stewards began their investigation.

Azkadellia's last race start was when she ran second behind Miss Cover Girl in the Group I Tatt's Tiara at Eagle Farm in June 2016.

Stewards allege Maher's conduct was prejudicial to the image, interests and/or welfare of racing.

Foster is a notorious conman who has been jailed in several countries for a variety of offences including weight loss scams.

In September last year, Racing Victoria's integrity unit interviewed a private investigator who provided information about Foster's involvement in Victoria's racing industry.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Flightline and Cogburn Shares Highlight Inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale
Stallion shares in Horse of the Year and exciting young sire Flightline and also Widden Stud's new shuttle prospect Cogburn changed hands at the inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale.
No questions asked led to Ciaron Maher's six-month ban
Ciaron Maher simply did not ask enough questions and that failure led to him receiving a six-month suspension and a $75,000 fine on Monday.
Derby déjà vu for Busuttin
Trent Busuttin believes the stars have aligned in his quest for a second Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) title at Flemington.
One to Watch – Wyong
There would not be a better bred mare racing anywhere in Australia on Thursday than this one and she scored at Wyong with ears pricked.
New Group One Connected Foals
With Yulong Stud publishing a fantastic photo of first foal for Montefilia by Alabama Express we thought it a good time to highlight a few more foals with Group One connections that have hit the Foal Gallery in the past couple of weeks.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 31
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kia Ora-bred graduates make an impression in Hong Kong
Kia Ora Stud had reason to celebrate on Thursday 31 October after waking up to news of two graduates’ success in Hong Kong overnight.
Strong Trade Continues at Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
Strong trade continued on the fourth day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale with an interesting horse set to join the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald stable as turnover has already soared to be the second highest in the sale’s history with the fifth and final session still to come. 
Maher relieved Azkadellia case is over
Caulfield Cup-winning trainer Ciaron Maher says he is relieved that his case is over despite receiving a six-month suspension and a $75,000 fine on Monday.
Speed is What Sells
There are two Group I events for three year-olds at Flemington on Saturday and both are worth $2million, but the profile of the horses engaged, many of them being colts, couldn’t be more different starting with their purchase price.