A former horse racing trainer has been handed a five-year suspension for ‘dacking’ an integrity official during a remote meeting.
Todd Balfour faced an inquiry with Racing South Australia last week, after it was revealed he pulled down the pants of an official who was attempting to breathalyse him at a race meet without consent.
The incident occurred at Kangaroo Valley, with the trainer approaching the official from behind and pulling his pants down, exposing him to a number of people present.
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Balfour pleaded guilty to the charge of misconduct, improper conduct and unseemly behaviour, and will now be disqualified until at least 2029.
Stewards had initially contemplated a 10-year suspension, but reduced it given Balfour’s apology, guilty plea and personal circumstances.
“Stewards also had regard for his forthrightness at the inquiry, his longstanding involvement in the industry, his personal circumstances and the fact that he showed remorse for his conduct which included an apology,” the inquiry said.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Balfour told the inquiry he didn’t remember pulling the pants down of the integrity official after consuming alcohol at the race meet.
Balfour holds both a stable employee and track rider’s licence.