Ben Yole

[Messenger]

PP is very suspicious of the Yole stables wins at Cranbourne last night - especially of 'rubber neck' Walters who he thinks is the conductor
The stable only contested 3 races and won all three

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=CR160423

[Showgrounds]

It amazes me Walters still has a licence when you weigh up his past misdemeanours.

If you want to see the full extent of the sad joke that is the Yole stable, check out Friday night's Hobart fields.

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=EH140423

72 starters, 60 from the Yole stable! For all the stable's dominance it has driven so many long-term participants out of the sport. It is beyond a joke.

Google Maps suggest it is a 3 hour drive from Sidmouth, where Yole's horses are "stabled", to Elwick racecourse. I would suggest this is closer to 4 hours when transporting horses yet animal welfare on raceday does not seem to be on the agenda.

[Messenger]

RACE 1– TREVOR PETRIE REAL ESTATE PACE (1710 MS)

A stable return was lodged subsequent to the publication of the racebook listing Ben Yole as the trainer of Kitch Macray.

Southern Gnp NZ underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations pursuant to HRV horse welfare policy with no abnormalities detected.

Robert Walters was not listed in the racebook as the driver of Southern Gnp NZ.

Ryan Duffy was not listed in the racebook as the driver of Star Ruler NZ.

Bailey McDonough (Sugoi Alto) was fined $200 pursuant to Rule 156(2)(a) for his whip action which was more than a wrist only flicking motion.

Declan Murphy (Aerodyne Guy) was fined $200 pursuant to Rule 156(2)(a) for his whip action which was more than a wrist only flicking motion.

Stewards adjourned an inquiry into the number of whip strikes used by driver Taylor Youl (Kitch Macray) and as to her leaving the course without attending the Stewards room when required to do so.

Stewards inquired into the actions of driver Robert Walters (Southern Gnp NZ ) rounding the home turn near the 300m and then again early in the home straight. After taking evidence from drivers Ross Graham (Self Exclusion) and Mr Walters, acting on their own observations and after viewing the official race replays Stewards charged Mr Walters pursuant to Rule 168(1)(e) “ A driver shall not drive in a manner which is in the opinion of Stewards:- (e) improper. The particulars of the charge were twofold, firstly that Mr Walters, as the driver of Southern Gnp NZ, had from the 300m after driver Ross Graham (Self Exclusion) had left his pegline trailing position and commenced to improve forward to the outside of Southern Gnp NZ and towards the back of Kitch Macray, Mr Walters then called out to Ms Youl, the driver of his stablemate Kitch Macray on several occasions in regards to Mr Graham’s horse improving behind her. The second limb of the charge was that after entering the home straight Mr Walters pulled his right rein on several occasions causing his drive Southern Gnp NZ to shift up the track into the running of Mr Graham’s drive Self Exclusion, which was racing between runners and improving forwards and about to progress past Southern Gnp NZ, resulting in Self Exclusion being inconvenienced. Mr Walters pleaded not guilty to the charge however after giving due consideration to all of the evidence Stewards formed the opinion that Mr Walters driving actions were improper. In determining penalty Stewards took into consideration published HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, that there were two limbs to the charge, Mr Walters not guilty plea, his driving frequency and offence record and the consequences of his actions. Mr Walters licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of four months to commence at midnight 4 May 2023. Mr Walters was apprised of his right to appeal. Mr Walters was also cautioned for driving with his body outside the confines of the sulky whilst leading the race.

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/stewards-reports/stewards-reports-detail/?mc=BA260423

The stable know they are being closely observed but refuse to pull their head in.
No doubt Mr Walters will appeal and thus be driving for a couple of years before we get a conclusion

The race

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA260423#BAC26042304

[Messenger]

It is going to be a trying time, waiting for Walters' appeal to be heard
PP this morning highlights his role in R1 & R2 at Hamilton yesterday
Hard to prove anything in R2 but the stewards could have done more than warn him about shifting out in R1 when he seems to be concerned with protecting his stablemate

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=HM010523

[Showgrounds]

It is going to be a trying time, waiting for Walters' appeal to be heard
PP this morning highlights his role in R1 & R2 at Hamilton yesterday
Hard to prove anything in R2 but the stewards could have done more than warn him about shifting out in R1 when he seems to be concerned with protecting his stablemate

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=HM010523

Race 1 looked red-hot. As soon as young Murphy showed an inclination to make his move Walters through everything at his horse to make sure the eventual winner was pushed 4 deep. Then, around the turn, he made no effort at all to check his drive from wandering up the track. He effectively forced the winner 5 wide upon straightening which allowed the stablemate to skip away. Fortunately, the winner was too good. In the second race, his wobble-headed tactics did not draw comment, but his intent appeared pretty obvious. Not to the stewards, though.

The stewards need to have another look at these two races.

[Messenger]

The last race at Shep tonight has a Tasmanian look to it with Yole having 6 of the 10 including 1-4

plus one of his regular drivers on the only non-Yole runner in the market (brave trainer)

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=SP020523#SPC02052304

[Messenger]

I have heard that there was a fair dinkum barney in public view after R10 at Bendigo on Tuesday night
It is rumoured that the trainer of the fav was not too happy with being forced to go 27.9 for Q1 by a $150 pop
A representative of the Yole stable, currently still involved thanks to a pending appeal, was supposed to be on the receiving end
You will note there is an INQADJ

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BN130623#BNC13062312

No rumour it would seem - it gets a line in the Stewards Report

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/stewards-reports/stewards-reports-detail/?mc=BN130623

[Messenger]

After his treble tonight, Ben Yole is now 2nd leading trainer in Victoria by wins

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/state-premierships/vic-premierships/

[Showgrounds]

After his treble tonight, Ben Yole is now 2nd leading trainer in Victoria by wins

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/state-premierships/vic-premierships/

The Police had a special code word for this.

TJF.

[Messenger]

Young workers having to fight for their rights after the float accident

It is my view that the evidence in this case compels a conclusion that the worker was injured in the course of his employment.
The employer’s s 81A referral is therefore dismissed. I determine that the worker is entitled to workers compensation benefits in accordance with the terms of the Act and I make orders pursuant to s 81A(3)(a) and (b) of the Act.

Ben Yole Racing Pty Ltd v C [2023] TASCAT 202 (30 October 2023)

https://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/tas/TASCAT/2023/202.html

[Showgrounds]

TASCAT has correctly exposed Mr Yole's Tasmanian operation for what it is; an unlawful and exploitive employer. That, without mentioning what has already been exposed.

It will be interesting to see where any Police or Department of Transport investigation goes. Already, Police have the driver of the Ford Ranger in their sights for towing an overweight load. I'd like to follow the papertrail as to how a three horse float came to be modified to cram-in five horses. Engineering certification? Hmm. The GCM of a Ford Ranger would be marginal, at best, once the weight of three horses are added. Another two horses, all of the racing gear and the full compliment of compliment of a driver and four passengers made the combination an accident waiting to happen.

Unfortunately, that "accident", totally avoidable with responsible employers, did happen.

[thepacingman]

The driver has been charged with:
Two counts of causing grievous bodily harm to another person by negligent driving
Three counts of failing to ensure passengers were wearing a seat belt
Driving without due care and attention (feel asleep at the wheel??? was around 2am)
Using a vehicle in contravention of vehicle standards, in that the horse float did not have brakes

She will front Launceston Magistrates Court on January 19, 2024.

The vehicle registration for the float expired almost two years before the crash.

[Showgrounds]

Thanks for that summary. Ponder those charges and facts and ask yourself "what could possibly go wrong?"

Under the road rules the driver gets the book thrown at them. However, I am more curious as to who owns the unregistered, unroadworty float, who directed that it be used to transport the horses, who owned the Ford Ranger and who directed the driver to drive to Elwick Racecourse and back. I have a strong feeling this might be the same person who denied responsibility for Cody Crossland's injury claims.

[Messenger]

The truck driver (not fit to drive mind you) who killed 4 police officers was jailed for 22yrs reduced to 18½yrs and we are still waiting to see whether his bosses who pleaded guilty 6mths ago, are sentenced or only fined. The maximum they can get is only 5yrs for recklessly exposing people to injury or death.

[Showgrounds]

True, Kev. The Yole "accident" is a little different in the employer has been denying most in the accident were employees and, on the day, had gone to the races without his direction. in the case of Crossland, TASCAT has called BS to Yole's story. It will be most interesting to see what agencies other than Police do prior to the charges being heard in January. Any defence lawyer worthy of a teabag would be seeking an adjournment to prevent the Police charges being heard in isolation.

[trish]

Race 2 Wagga Friday.
He has 8 of the 9 runners in this race.

[Messenger]

He has certainly spread his territory from just Tassie, then Vic
One additional problem I see with his monopolizing fields is - Do you need anymore than your fingers to count how many Ben Yole fans there are out there?

[Jasper]

And the only runner not trained by Mr Yole is the sole horse on the back line. Wonder what the instructions will be to the driver of that horse?

In WA if a trainer has multiple runners they are supposed to advise the Stewards of the driving instructions, does that happen elsewhere?

[Messenger]

Yes Daniel

[trish]

PP is reporting that yole etc's appeal has been denied.
Why is this not on a harness racing site .
Why do we always have to read these things on PP's site?

[trish]

Thank God for PP. We will set a place at our table for him if ever he decides to come down.

[Jasper]

I wonder what has happened to all the horses on the property? We might have to ask AB that too.

And why don’t the journalists in the sport cover this story more assertively? I appreciate that they are on the payroll of the racing administrators but aren’t they obligated to from a professional point of view. Isn’t it one of the biggest stories of the last 10 years (at least) in our sport?

[trish]

I just looked at Taz fields for Sun & some are transferred from one yole to another yole.
So maybe they are being trained from there??
But I don't know .

I am not sure but IMO journalists do not like writing anything that could sound negative.

[trish]

At least with PP or AB , you get some realism. And a lot of 1st stories as well.

[Jasper]

Yeas that is true re AB. Regarding the journalists not writing anything negative about the sport, why is that? Is it because they are on the payroll (most I guess are) or are they not wanting to upset their trainer/owner friends? The Darren Weir story was well reported and continues to be so to this day. That involved only three or four horses. This involves so many more and numerous other areas.

Good to hear that the horses have been transferred.

[Messenger]

PP is right - that allowing Ben Yole to transfer his horses to father Wayne Yole is not on but how do you prevent it?

You really have to wonder about major owners Solotrek and Aaron Bain/Summit too

[trish]

PP is right - that allowing Ben Yole to transfer his horses to father Wayne Yole is not on but how do you prevent it?

You really have to wonder about major owners Solotrek and Aaron Bain/Summit too


I am not sure why this has been is allowed.........., but realistically , "same o'l same o'l " . We've seen and complained about it in every other harness racing state . Why not Tas ? And they still wonder why harness racing is imploding !!! They'll have a meeting about harness racing soon and ask participants what can be done to build confidence back in the sport . GIVE ME A BREAK

[Beltane]

The ABC achieved significant recognition at the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Awards held on Wednesday, 21 February 2024 with two of its investigative reports receiving top accolades.

One was for a team from ABC News Tasmania, was awarded for “Best coverage of a community sport issue – rural & regional media”.

Their investigative piece, titled “Stacking the Odds: Inside a Tasmanian harness racing juggernaut,” shed light on pressing concerns within the Tasmanian harness racing scene, prompting the Ray Murrihy inquiry. This inquiry later unveiled critical issues plaguing the industry.

[Messenger]

The ABC achieved significant recognition at the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Awards held on Wednesday, 21 February 2024 with two of its investigative reports receiving top accolades.

One was for a team from ABC News Tasmania, was awarded for “Best coverage of a community sport issue – rural & regional media”.

Their investigative piece, titled “Stacking the Odds: Inside a Tasmanian harness racing juggernaut,” shed light on pressing concerns within the Tasmanian harness racing scene, prompting the Ray Murrihy inquiry. This inquiry later unveiled critical issues plaguing the industry.

For which NO meaningful action may be forthcoming!

[Messenger]

PP is reporting that the TasRAB has quashed the Warning Off due to a denial of natural justice
He has documents to that effect on his site - I do not know where he has found them as on the TasRAB site, all I can find is the following

https://nre.tas.gov.au/racing/tasmanian-racing-appeal-board/current-appeals

There is nothing on HRA that I can spy

[trish]

So does that mean the report is wrong?

[Messenger]

TasRacing should not have/cannot warn people off as that is the role of stewards and when stewards do this, the people have the right to be heard at an inquiry

So you would think they would just start again - charges/inquiry BUT the question will be whether the stuff up has irrevocably destroyed their chances of a fair hearing

[trish]

Did the report touch on the horses welfare?

[Messenger]

Did the report touch on the horses welfare?


“The Report makes findings that individuals within the industry have engaged in team driving, race fixing and animal abuse"

This is a quote from Felix Ellis, Minister of Racing

[trish]

Do you think that these horses will have to wait for the fair hearing ?

[Messenger]

It would also have to fall under the RSPCA surely
TasRacing may have overreached regarding their power but hopefully the stewards will now visit Mr Yole on a daily basis

[Jasper]

If the Stewards did visit daily this could be considered harassment and could weaken the case. Has Yole or the others actually been charged with anything yet? All that has been done is a report which says he/they have breached the rules in several areas, as far as I understand.

What is HRA doing to ensure that this doesn’t happen again re stockpiling horses due to the NR system (race to the bottom approach)? What about the owners responsibility? Where does it sit?

[Messenger]

If you can require a trainer to move his stable to Menangle so that they can be under constant observation
I don't think you need to worry about visiting a stable for inspection even daily esp if it is a result of a report that was scathing of their practices

Any case will be judged on hard evidence

[trish]

PP states that how can b yole have horses racing this week. I agree with him. So we need an answer.
Who do we ask?

[Messenger]

Are there any journalists that harness racing officialdom are answerable to (not that any ask PP's questions) so I don't like our chances Trish. Trainers and Drivers Associations would have a lot of clout but do they ever use it?

[trish]

PP is saying b yole has horses scratched for lack of drivers.

[Messenger]

He is reporting it Trish but he does not really believe it

[Messenger]

Not as many starters but still enough - nothing seems to have changed in Tassie

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=LN170324

[Messenger]

PP and The Mercury are reporting that Ben Yole and co are going to be warned off again this week

[trish]

https://www.bing.com/news/search?q=Mercury+Tas+Racing+Wins+Right+To+Ban+Yole&qpvt=mercury+tas+racing+wins+right+to+ban+yole&FORM=EWRE

YIPEEE!!!!!



sorry but you gotta pay for story but it names the 4.

[ryantics]

It's strange (to me at least) that a story so important to to Tasmanian harness racing about a huge stable, only appears as a pay to view news article and not in any Tasracing.com.au article.
Are only positive stories allowed on the Tas Racing website?
A search thru HRA stewards stories has nothing in the last 12 months. Am I missing something?

[Messenger]

It's strange (to me at least) that a story so important to to Tasmanian harness racing about a huge stable, only appears as a pay to view news article and not in any Tasracing.com.au article.
Are only positive stories allowed on the Tas Racing website?
A search thru HRA stewards stories has nothing in the last 12 months. Am I missing something?

No
That is pretty much the devious way of all codes

[trish]

If it is true & most or all horses are transfered to the father wayne from ben, then I feel it is time for me to never spend another cent on betting in Tasmania.
I am done with that state.

[Messenger]

At 72yo Wayne has certainly increased his workload

[Messenger]

Ben Yole's Warning Off has been overturned by the Appeals Board
Has harness racing in Australia been at a lower point?

[trish]

Story on ....tasgreensmps.org.......media release.

[Messenger]

The Greens will be pursuing the ongoing failures of integrity and animal justice in this cruel industry when Parliament returns next week.

https://tasgreensmps.org/media-releases/yole-decision-more-proof-racing-industry-is-broken/

We are giving them plenty of ammunition

[Messenger]

Rumoured to be an attempt at getting around Tas rules to curtail one stable dominating a race, many horses are being transferred to Robert Walters however the rank and file are not happy and the ABC reports

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-13/questions-over-robert-walters-harness-racing-tasmania/103969526

[trish]

I have just read that b yole has his licence back to train horses.

Can anyone tell me how that happened??

[Beltane]

Here is the ABC's story:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-09/ben-yole-harness-racing-licence-reinstated/104328134

[Messenger]

Once again the ABC news is all I know

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-09/ben-yole-harness-racing-licence-reinstated/104328134

[trish]

"It just creates doubt in people's minds about how the industry is being run. It affects everyone's confidence, and it also shows how weak ORI is.

"Office of Racing Integrity"


INTEGRITY..........Integrity is the quality of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.[1][2] In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or earnestness of one's actions. Integrity can stand in opposition to hypocrisy.[3] It regards internal consistency as a virtue, and suggests that people who hold apparently conflicting values should account for the discrepancy or alter those values.

[trish]

Could this affect Harness Racing in every other State??
Do you think punters are going to accept this??

[trish]

PP has a story on this.

[Messenger]

Could this affect Harness Racing in every other State??
Do you think punters are going to accept this??

I am worried that Victoria is at risk of becoming irrelevant, as for punters, I think 99% would think that Tas harness has been irrelevant for a long time now (gallops people have dismissed our whole code as such for at least a decade)

[trish]

Well Tasmania became totally irrelevant when I stopped betting my dollar each way.
And as far as Victoria goes , they better pull their socks up because if I take my dollar each way away , they will never pay off that 60 odd million.

[trish]

Yole , over & out for now!.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-30/stewards-panel-finds-ben-yole-guilty-mistreating-horses/104878738

[Messenger]

PP is reporting that Tas Racing is not going to accept the nominations of father Wayne Yole until he moves to another property and shows that he is working independently of his disqualified sons

[trish]

PP is reporting that Tas Racing is not going to accept the nominations of father Wayne Yole until he moves to another property and shows that he is working independently of his disqualified sons

Fair enough.

[thepacingman]

Finally some action being taken in regard to the float crash. All charges are against the business. So no charges for the driver who fell asleep at the wheel.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-06/tas-ben-yole-racing-facing-charges-over-crash/104903842

[trish]

Finally some action being taken in regard to the float crash. All charges are against the business. So no charges for the driver who fell asleep at the wheel.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-06/tas-ben-yole-racing-facing-charges-over-crash/104903842



From what I understand , work cover has never lost a case in court.
I wonder who will have to compensate the workers for their injuries .

[Messenger]

Good question as the article states:

WorkSafe Tasmania regulator Sam Thompson said the charges were based on two complaints.

It has also charged the stables with failure to notify the work, health and safety regulator of a notifiable incident and failure to hold workers' compensation insurance.

[trish]

I suppose it all depends on who the work cover people determine as being responsible.

[trish]

His absence doesn't appear , to me , to have effected the good fields for Launceston on Saturday night.

[thepacingman]

Would not surprise if Ben Yole Racing Pty Ltd declares bankruptcy at some point. There's some decent financial penalties with those charges.

With no compo, the injured people could lodge legal claims against the business. Also the owners of the deceased horses maybe able to claim.

It is still listed as registered on ASIC.

As for the horse float charge, it was unregistered, not insured and had no brakes.

Any idea who owns the property in Tassie??

[trish]

No I don't . You would think BYRPY would most likely own it. We are on the same wave length.

I found this the other day. https://tasgreensmps.org/media-releases/yole-stables-must-close-following-cruelty-verdict/ .

How the hell was it allowed to go on so long.

[Messenger]

Dad granted a stay so his noms have to be accepted as TasRacing were not ready/did not present any objections at his appeal :mad:

[trish]

Dad granted a stay so his noms have to be accepted as TasRacing were not ready/did not present any objections at his appeal :mad:

Wow .
Wonder if he is training at his sons place , anyone know??

[Messenger]

I imagine it is at his son's place for that is what the objection was about - he has always been free to train if he finds his own property