‘Business as usual’: Embattled trainer Darren Weir breaks his silence after he was arrested over claims he used a TASER on his horses
- Police stormed stables of Melbourne Cup-winning trainer early on Wednesday
- Officers from the Victoria Police sports integrity unit raided stables before dawn
- Police are investigating whether Weir and staff used electric 'jiggers' on horses
- The embattled trainer has broken his silence following his arrest over claims
- Weir, who was arrested along with two other men, promised 'business as usual'
- Electric shocks are an illegal practice aimed at making horses work harder
- Weir teamed up with Michelle Payne for memorable win in 2015 Melbourne Cup
Embattled Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir has broken his silence following his arrest over claims he was using taser-like devices on his horses.
Weir, 48, a 38-year-old Yangery man believed to be one of the trainer's foremen and a 26-year-old were taken into custody on Wednesday following early-morning raids on the champion trainer's stables in western Victoria.
Police allege they also seized an unregistered gun and cocaine in the raids.
But the highly-touted trainer has now attempted to quell any concerns.
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Embattled Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir (pictured) has broken his silence following his arrest over claims he was using taser-like devices on his horses
'Our main aim is to ensure our owners are not disadvantaged by this process in any way, and accordingly it is business as usual in relation to the training and care of your horses,' the statement from Weir's business manager Mick Leonard read.
'Our main aim is to ensure our owners are not disadvantaged by this process in any way, and accordingly it is business as usual in relation to the training and care of your horses,' the statement from Weir's business manager Mick Leonard read (pictured Weir smiling after being quizzed for hours by Victoria Police)
The stable is due to make more detailed comments on the police investigation into whether stables were using the 'jiggers' to make the horses work harder later on Thursday, The Age reported.
Earlier in the day, Racing Victoria CEO Giles Thompson said it was the call of stewards to decide whether horses trained by those under investigation should race.
On Friday morning, staff at Weir's stables in Ballarat could be seen going about their usual activities - although the champion trainer himself was nowhere to be seen.
On Wednesday afternoon, Weir could be seen smiling as he left Ballarat West police station after he was quizzed for hours over the alleged criminal activities.
Using jiggers is prohibited by the Australian Rules of Racing.
'I have heard that there may be footage in the public arena ... of jiggers being used,' Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Paterson said, appealing for people with information to come forward.
Melbourne Cup winning trainer Darren Weir (left, with Michelle Payne after their 2015 victory) is being investigated for allegedly using an electric 'jigger' on his horses to make them work harder
Police raided Weir's properties at Ballarat (pictured) and Warrnambool in the early hours of Wednesday morning, seizing a gun and a Taser and arresting three people
Weir and his staff are under investigation for allegedly using electric jiggers (like the one pictured) in an effort to make their horses work harder
The investigation's focus is whether horses had been 'jigged' before running.
'Jiggers' are the size of a battery, conduct electrical current and are used to 'shock' a racehorse into running faster.
Officers from the Victoria Police sports integrity unit entered the champion trainer's stables at Ballarat, in central Victoria, and Warrnambool, in the state's west at 6am.
Darren Weir is Australia's leading trainer, with 491 winners in 2018 - a Commonwealth record - earning a staggering $31million in prize money.
Five Weir-trained horses raced at Mornington on Wednesday, with seven due to start at Pakenham and Werribee on Thursday, and nine at Moonee Valley on Friday.
Weir is Australia's leading trainer, with 491 winners in 2018 - a Commonwealth record - earning a staggering $31million in prize money
Weir (left) with Australia's first female Melbourne Cup-winning jockey, Michelle Payne (right). There is no suggestion by Daily Mail Australia Ms Payne has any connection to the investigations by Racing Victoria or Victoria Police
There have been no immediate suspensions following Wednesday's arrests.
Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula said the investigation showed authorities were enforcing rules 'without fear or favour'.
'As minister for racing and a racing lover, I'm committed to maintaining the integrity of our sport and any allegations of breaches are extremely disappointing,' he said in a statement.
The police and Racing Victoria investigations involve obtaining financial advantage by deception and engaging in corrupt conduct.
Police have been investigating Weir, 48, for a number of months and may have video footage from inside the stables is part of those investigations.
Police were seen lining the perimeter of both properties in the early hours and reportedly 'corralled' his staff at his on-course stables in Warrnambool.
Horses were also seen being led out of the stables and across the road following the raid.
It is believed the matters investigated by police allegedly include obtain financial advantage by deception and engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome.
In a statement, Victoria Police confirmed they had arrested three men at Weir's twin properties.
Since his Melbourne Cup victory Weir has gone on to become Australia's most successful horse trainer in recent years.
After securing his training licence in 1995, Weir was initially based in Stawell before moving his operations to Ballarat where he had a meteoric rise.
Weir (pictured) has become Australia's most successful horse trainer in recent years, training a record 491 winners in 2018 alone
A truck belonging to Weir is searched as part of Wednesday's police operation
His success of recent years is a far cry from his early beginnings in the sport, which saw him live alone in a caravan after becoming a stablehand at the age of 14.
Working in the bush, he rose through the ranks from strapper to farrier and track rider, before becoming a trainer at just 25.
Over his career he has trained 3452 winners, including 36 Group 1 winners and 2015 Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance, which was a $101 outsider.
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