Pinjarra trainer Brett Pope expected to appeal fine for admin error relating to euthanasia of horses

Leading Pinjarra trainer Brett Pope is expected to appeal a $7000 sanction for an administrative error after the euthanasia of 15 horses. Pope was fined $7000 on Wednesday for failing to lodge evidence of the euthanised horses — which were put down between 2021 and 2023 — within the necessary time frame, because he feels it is excessive. While stewards deemed the euthanasia of each horse to be permissible according to its regulations, Pope’s infringement relates to his delayed documentation submission. “All I got charged with was not having my stable returns in (within seven days),” Pope told The West Australian. “All the other stuff was above board. I was cleared of any other charge and every horse had vet certificates or behavioural grounds for euthanasia. “I think it’s excessive and I’m looking to appeal the fine.” Though Pope was fined $7000, $2000 of this will be suspended for two years should no further breaches under similar rules be made. Pope says that he is seeking assistance from the Western Australian Racehorse Trainers Association to provide guidance for his appeal. When determining the penalty, stewards took into account “his plea of guilty, forthright manner and otherwise good record”, but needed “to send a clear message as to the criticality of lodging notifications where horses become euthanized or deceased”. Pope says that half of the instances were before the rule was established in 2021 and he has a successful and reputable history of rehoming his horses. “I gave them a file of 24 horses we rehomed over an 18-month period and I had good references from vets that we look after our horses,” he said. “There was no neglection and horses were either injured or their manners meant they weren’t suitable for rehoming. “For a horse to be euthanised on behavioural grounds, you need approval from the owner or track rider. “I’m the owner, trainer and track rider. No one knows my horses better.” Though racing limited runners, Pope has trained nine winners this season, including Boab Boy, who has had three victories and four seconds from just nine starts in that time. Boab Boy is a $6 TABtouch elect in tomorrow’s seventh race at Ascot.