Trainer of world’s best racehorse hit with £30,000 fine over ‘insider info’ scandal
THE trainer of the world’s best racehorse has been hit with a massive £30,000 fine after pleading guilty to providing insider info.
Danny Shum, who handles multiple Group 1-winning superstar Romantic Warrior, divulged privileged details of three horses in his yard to unnamed individuals.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club charged Shum with breaching Rule 155 (17), which states no person shall ‘give, disclose or otherwise make available any inside information in relation to a horse’.
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Jockey Club chief steward Marc van Gestel said Shum let slip information ‘which was not publicly available’.
A HKJC statement read: “In determining a penalty, the stewards took into consideration the nature of the rule breached, the degree of culpability and relevant mitigating factors.
“In this regard, Mr Shum’s conduct was not an intentional breach of the rule and did not include any serious misconduct where he received any benefit.
“The breaches were of a historical nature, occurring soon after an amendment to Rule 155 (17).
“Mr Shum’s guilty plea and cooperation with the investigation (contributed to the level of fine).
“His unblemished record in relation to similar offences and good standing within the thoroughbred industry and community were factors also considered.”
The statement did not mention which horses or races had been under investigation, or when.
Shum’s fine is the biggest handed out to a trainer in almost three years.
Two others – Frankie Lor Fu-chuen and Dennis Yip Chor-hong – got double Shum’s penalty for breaking Covid rules.
Romantic Warrior is one of the world’s highest-earning horses with 17 wins from 22 races and currently tops the TRC Global Rankings of horses.
The seven-year-old gelding has amassed prize money of £17.9million and is set to add to that total when running in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan later this month.
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