Sports · Other Sports · 10 hrs ago
Waller fined $50,000 while Freedman trainers received month-long bans
Chris Waller was fined $50,000 after a staff member treated his horse Asterix on Melbourne Cup day.
The horse was scratched from the race because race-day treatment was forbidden, even though the anti-inflammatory oil used was available over the counter and was not considered performance enhancing.
Anthony and Sam Freedman were disqualified for a month in a separate case involving race-day treatment of two horses with prescription-only nebulizers.
Their charge carried a mandatory six-month ban unless there were mitigating circumstances.
Racing Victoria said the cases differed in how the breaches were detected, how many horses were involved, the treatments used and their potential effect on performance.
Trainer Nick Ryan faces a separate, unresolved case after stewards allegedly found syringes of performance-enhancing EPO in his car near his Flemington stables.
Ryan has been stood down from training, and his horses have moved to other stables.
His case is due to be heard later this month, while inquiries involving him and veterinarian Luke Campbell remain active; Campbell has not been charged.
Chris Waller was fined $50,000 after Asterix was scratched from the Melbourne Cup because a staff member treated the horse on race day.
Anthony and Sam Freedman were disqualified for a month earlier this year for race-day treatment of two horses.
The Freedmans faced a more serious charge, which carries a mandatory six-month ban except in mitigating circumstances.
Racing Victoria said the cases differed in how the breaches were detected, the number of horses involved, the treatments used and their potential to affect performance.
- Who
- Trainer Chris Waller was fined. Trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman were disqualified for a month.
- What
- Waller received a $50,000 fine after Asterix was scratched for race-day treatment. The Freedmans received month-long disqualifications after two horses were treated with nebulizers.
- When
- Waller’s case was on Melbourne Cup day in 2026. The Freedmans were disqualified earlier in 2026.
- Where
- The cases involved racing in Melbourne; Asterix was scratched on the morning of the Melbourne Cup.
- Why
- Asterix was treated with medication on race day, while the Freedmans’ horses were administered medication on race day.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Anthony and Sam Freedman were disqualified for a month after breaching race-day treatment rules.
Asterix was scratched after a staff member treated the horse with medication on race day.
Waller said he respected the stewards’ decision.
SMH published its comparison of the Waller and Freedman cases.
- Waller’s fine
- $50,000
- Asterix
- Scratched on the morning of the Melbourne Cup
- Freedman trainers
- Anthony and Sam Freedman
- Freedman disqualification
- One month
- Freedman charge
- AR 249 – administration of medication on race day
1 source
What people are saying
I respect the decision
It is important that the stewards approach each inquiry through its own lens and maintain an open mind
These differences included the circumstances in which the breach was detected, the number of horses involved, the routes of administration, the products used and the potential to affect performance.