Ciaron Maher suspended for six months - $75,000 fine!

Brad Waters - Monday September 25

Trainer Ciaron Maher has been suspended for six months at the conclusion of the Azkadellia bona fides inquiry.

Maher pleaded guilty at a Racing and Disciplinary Board hearing on Monday to one charge under AR175A which deals with "conduct prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing" stemming from conman Peter Foster's ownership of five horses in his stables including the Group I winner Azkadellia.

Maher's former racing manager Ben Connolly is alleged to have been used as the conduit for the Foster-owned horses which raced in Connolly's name.

Advertisement

In addition to the suspension Maher has been fined $75,000 and has one week to make arrangements to for his horses to be prepared by another trainer.

More to follow.

Advertisment
More Reading...
One To Watch - Randwick-Kensington
Primed to make his debut off the back of six barrier trials, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Flying Artie colt Lancelot Du Lac impressed onlookers at his first race start, with the half-brother to Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot pulling clear to score by just shy of two and a half lengths.
Headline Acts at a Bigger 2026 Inglis Easter
Countless headline acts are scheduled to take their place at next year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, for which the catalogue is nearing its final stages of completion.
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.
Saving Baby Ryan
An orphaned foal bred in Victoria faced an uphill battle when he arrived at Larneuk Stud in the spring of 2021 and four years on he is now a winner!
Connolly to face the music in Azkadellia case next week
The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board will hear the latest stage of the Azkadellia case next Monday.
Maher finds replacement trainer for six months
Suspended trainer Ciaron Maher has found a replacement to take over his big team from Tuesday.
Sires With Winners - Friday December 5
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Chaldean Foals Popular at Tattersalls December
The first Northern Hemisphere bred foals by Cambridge Stud shuttler Chaldean (GB) were in keen demand at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale with a cracking filly leading the way when she changed hands for 240,000gns.
From Kingston Town to Northerly - A Race Named for Champions
With the end of 2025 fast approaching it’s time to turn our attention to the final G1 race of the Australian racing year, and the last of the “big three” at the Ascot Pinnacles carnival - It is of course, the $1.5 million Northerly Stakes run over 1800m at WFA, and this year marks its 50th running.
D’Argento Filly Wins $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus
Stakes-placed at two and fourth in the Group II ATC Percy Sykes Stakes to Tempted, it seems amazing that D’Argento filly Sequista was not a winner until Thursday, but she picked a good day to break the ice claiming a $100,000 Inglis Xtra bonus for her Gosford victory.