Guest to face February inquiry
The trainer, along with two employees, Richard Dalton and Louise Tidman, was given a two-year conditional discharge from Durham Magistrates’ Court for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal when What’s A Filly was put down after developing a severe infection in her near-hind leg.
Guest admitted to failing to exercise reasonable care and supervision.
The HRA will call Guest and associates on February 8 to consider whether they have committed a breach of Rule 201 (vi) of the Rules of Racing. The guideline penalty range for a breach of the rule is disqualification or exclusion from racing for six months to 10 years, although other penalties can be given and following the court hearing, Paul Struthers, PR manager for the HRA, revealed Guest was unlikely to have his licence withdrawn.
Struthers said: “We will obtain a certificate of conviction from the court and once that’s been received, our disciplinary department will decide whether they need to convene a hearing – although it’s almost certain there will be one. Given the comments of the Deputy District Judge, such a hearing is likely to result in a financial penalty.”
