Thoroughbred trainer Desleigh Forster disqualified and fined for animal cruelty

31 March 2023

Brisbane thoroughbred trainer Desleigh Forster has been handed a six-month disqualification for committing an act of cruelty to thoroughbred Private Banker, at an Eagle Farm training facility last month.

Handing down penalties today, panel chair and Chief Thoroughbred steward Josh Adams, told Ms Forster the breaches were serious.

For the act of animal cruelty, Ms Forster was handed a six-month disqualification. Ms Forster was given another six-month disqualification, reduced to four-months for pleading guilty, for using a stock whip on a horse, and for possessing the stock whip she was fined $1,000.

“The penalties must serve as a general deterrent to illustrate to the entire racing industry that these activities cannot be condoned,” Mr Adams said. 

The stockwhip has been banned in the horse racing industry in Australia since 1 May 2009.

The six and four-months disqualification periods will be served concurrently commencing today, 31 March 2023 concluding on 1 October 2023.

Ms Forster was advised of her rights of appeal to the Racing Appeals Panel.

Media contact Chris Reid 0418 656 244