How anybody could this is beyond belief....
Training partners Barbara Joseph, Paul Jones and Matt Jones have been slapped with a four month ban by Racing NSW stewards after pleading guilty to not providing veterinary treatment to a horse that died in their care.
An inquiry was opened on May 23 this year into the circumstances surrounding the death of I Am Rocky while in the care of the Joseph Jones team on February 24, 2019.
After further evidence was taken on Wednesday, Joseph, Jones and Jones pleaded guilty to two charges.
Charge 1 Under AR103(4) that they did fail to lodge a stable return for the four-year-old horse I Am Rocky, which after joining the Joseph Jones Racing stables, had been in active work for a period of approximately nine weeks.
Charge 2 Under AR231(1)(b)(iii) that they did fail to provide for veterinary treatment where such treatment was necessary as:
1) They were at all relevant times the co-trainers of the four-year-old entire I Am Rocky.
(2) In accordance with AR98(2), they are persons training in partnership and as such share all responsibilities, obligations and rights under the Rules in relation to training horses.
(3) Under LR78(2), they were, during the relevant times, responsible for the care, control and supervision of I Am Rocky.
(4) At approximately 4am on Saturday, 23 February 2019, co-trainer Mr M. Jones became aware that I Am Rocky was displaying symptoms of colic.
(5) At approximately 8:09am on Saturday, 23 February 2019, Mr P. Jones became aware that I Am Rocky was again displaying symptoms of colic.
(6) That during Saturday, 23 February 2019, stable foreperson Mr S. Jamieson had observed that I Am Rocky had “been lethargic all day”.
(7) That during Saturday, 23 February 2019, they did fail to provide for veterinary treatment of I Am Rocky when the horse was displaying symptoms of colic and such treatment was necessary for the horse.
(8) That after observing that I Am Rocky was dull and lethargic in its stable at approximately 7am on Sunday, 24 February 2019, licensed stablehand Ms L. Fehre contacted Mr S. Jamieson soon after and reported to him words to the effect “He looks unwell and he probably needs a vet”.
(9) That at no time did they, subsequent to Saturday, 23 February 2019 and whilst I Am Rocky remained in their care, control and supervision at their registered racing stables provide for veterinary treatment of the horse, when such treatment was necessary for the horse.
(10) I Am Rocky was found deceased in its stable at approximately 7:30pm on Sunday, 24 February 2019 by stable foreperson Mr S. Jamieson.
(11) A post-mortem examination report completed by Dr S. Raidal, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Charles Sturt University), on 26 February 2019, provided a gross diagnosis of right dorsal displacement of the large colon, likely secondary to diffuse typhlocolitis ultimately was the cause of the death of I Am Rocky. The Report also identified and described numerous superficial wounds and subcutaneous haemorrhages, consistent with trauma following an episode of uncontrolled colic pain.
Joseph, Jones and Jones were suspended for four months, reduced from six months with a guilty plea, which will officially begin on Wednesday, July 3.
They were also fined $200 for charge 1.