‘Extremely inappropriate’ horse trainer gets five-year ban for ‘pulling steward’s pants down’
A ‘REPREHENSIBLE’ horse trainer has been given a five-year ban after ‘pulling a steward’s pants down’ in front of a crowd.
Todd Balfour has been disqualified after he pleaded guilty to a charge of engaging in improper conduct last month.
According to Punters, the incident occurred on the evening of February 16 at Kangaroo Island racecourse in Australia.
A racing official was conducting breathalyser tests on participants at the track when Balfour crept up on him.
The report stated Balfour then ‘without his consent pulled the steward’s pants down and in doing so fully exposed him from the waist down to numerous parties present’.
A ten-year ban was initially considered for the trainer, who had 57 winners from 697 runners between 2010 and 2017.
But this was halved due, in part, to his guilty plea.
The report read: “The historical nature of some of Balfour’s prior offences for misconduct did not weigh as aggravating factors.
“Stewards also had regard for his forthrightness at the enquiry, his longstanding involvement in the industry, his personal circumstances and the fact that he showed remorse for his conduct which included an apology to the Racing SA compliance officer.
“However, stewards also considered the serious nature of the conduct, the resultant distress caused to an official, and that objectively viewed, by any reasonable person, such conduct would be considered reprehensible and extremely inappropriate.
“Stewards also had regard for individual and general deterrence and further had regard for the fact that punishment is also an element in determining penalty for breaches of the rules of racing.”
Balfour, whose massive ban expires on February 28, 2029, is expected to appeal.
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