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Racing Victoria stewards have granted approval for the training partnership of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace to replace trainer Darren Weir at the Ballarat stabling complex formerly known as Forest Lodge with effect from today.
Stewards have approved the application on the following conditions:
- that the transfer of any horses from Weir to the Maher-Eustace partnership must remain on an individual basis by application of the owners and subject to the approval of the stewards;
- that the Maher-Eustace partnership will not be permitted to nominate any horse under the care of Weir at the time of his disqualification on Wednesday, 6 February until such time as it has been transferred to their care with the approval of stewards.
In approving the application, the stewards note that there are a number of milestones in the planned transfer of the Ballarat stabling complex from Weir to the Maher-Eustace partnership and that they will be monitoring the successful achievement of these.
The stewards have also advised Weir, Maher and Eustace that they will continue to closely monitor the operations of the Ballarat stabling complex to ensure that all requirements of Weir’s disqualification are strictly adhered to.
Darren Weir was disqualified from the racing industry for four years on Wednesday on charges relating to the discovery and possession of electronic devices known as jiggers at his Ballarat and Warrnambool stables last week.
In the fallout Maher and Eustace had already taken olver the training of seven Group One winners from the Weir stable - Extra Brut, Humidor, Gailo Chop, Sopressa, Voodoo Lad, Age Of Fire and Land Of Plenty.
"This is a huge opportunity for Ciaron Maher Racing to take over a premier training facility in Victoria," said Maher.
"Our key priority it to ensure a swift takeover with minimal disruption to the staff and horses.
Maher and Eustace already have stables and training facilities at Caulfield, Balnarring and Pakenham in Victoria and recently opened a satellite stable at Warwick Farm in Sydney.
They currently have more than 230 horses on their books. Their numbers may double if Weir's owners decide to leave their horses with them at Ballarat.
Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson welcomed the approval by stewards for Maher and Eustace to replace trainer Weir at the Ballarat stabling complex.
“We trust this announcement by the Ballarat Turf Club and Ciaron Maher Racing will be welcomed by those staff affected by Darren Weir’s disqualification and provide them with greater certainty about their immediate working future after a challenging week.
“This is also a positive announcement for the Ballarat community, along with those local suppliers servicing the industry, that a major high-profile training combination in Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have moved swiftly to fill the void that has been left by Mr Weir.
“This also presents a viable option for those owners who would like their horses to remain in their current training environment at Ballarat.
RV understands that discussions remain ongoing between Weir, the Warrnambool Racing Club and members of the industry regarding the future of his Warrnambool stabling complex.
