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Melbourne Cup-winning trainer breached Occupational Health and Safety Act

WorkSafe Victoria has charged Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Danny O’Brien over the death of one of his track riders at Barwon Heads last year.

A 31-year-old Japanese national was killed after a car struck the horse he was riding across Thirteenth Beach Road on March 9, 2020. 

On Friday, O'Brien Thoroughbreds was charged with a single alleged breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. 

In a media statement, Worksafe said it will allege that O'Brien failed to implement a traffic management plan and to ensure that employees and horses wore high visibility clothing or equipment.

The matter is listed for a filing hearing at the Geelong Magistrates' Court next Thursday.