Guest planning defence
Richard Guest is planning a “vigorous defence” against charges of animal cruelty being brought by the RSPCA.
The County Durham handler and two of his staff are accused of failing to provide a horse with proper veterinary attention after the death of 2004 Kelso winner What’s A Filly, who was put down last December.
In a statement, Guest said: “It is true that I and two members of my staff have received summonses over our treatment of a horse in my care.
“At the time of the alleged incident, we were looking after 84 horses and the RSPCA is entirely satisfied about our care of 83 of them.
“The issue concerns the treatment of one horse under veterinary advice where the RSPCA take a view that it should have been dealt with differently from the advice we received.
“It is their policy that such issues should be resolved by the courts and their allegation is denied and is being vigorously defended.
“Everyone in racing knows of my passion for horses and their welfare and I am very distressed to have been caught up in the middle of this unfortunate affair.
“It will be resolved in due course but, meanwhile, I have this matter hanging over my head.
“I would like to be able to say more at this stage but I have been advised by my solicitors to make no further comment as the matter is sub judice.”
The case against Guest, who partnered Red Marauder to win the 2001 Grand National, is due to be heard at Durham Magistrates’ Court on July 28.
An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “The RSPCA is prosecuting racehorse trainer Richard Guest and two members of his staff – head girl Louise Tidman and head lad Richard Dalton – for failing to provide a horse with proper veterinary attention and treatment.
“We are unable to comment further until the court case has concluded.”
The Horseracing Regulatory Authority is aware of the case and examined all the horses in Guest’s yard after the mare died and found nothing wrong.
HRA spokesman Paul Struthers said: “We are aware the RSPCA is prosecuting Richard Guest and two members of his staff.
“We were called to examine the mare and subsequently examined all Guest’s horses and found nothing wrong with them.
“We await the results of the legal process.”
