Licensed Trainer Mr Danny C S Shum

The Stipendiary Stewards today conducted a hearing of a charge issued against licensed trainer Mr Danny C S Shum under Rule 155(17).

Rule 155. No person shall:-

(17) Improperly obtain any privileged information regarding any horse in training from any owner, trainer, jockey or anybody else employed in a racing or training stable or in the services of the owner or trainer of such horse; and no person shall improperly make such privileged information available.

"Privileged Information" means information about the likely performance of a horse in a race which is not publicly available and consists of matters which are not readily observable or known by the public.

The details of the charge being that he did improperly make privileged information available to persons not entitled to receive such information, in respect to three horses he was training.

Mr Shum pleaded guilty to the charge.

In determining penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the nature of the Rule breached, the degree of culpability and relevant mitigating factors. In this regard:

1. Mr Shum’s conduct was not an intentional breach of the Rule and did not include any serious misconduct where he received any benefit.

2. The breaches were of a historical nature, occurring soon after an amendment to Rule 155(17).

3. Mr Shum’s guilty plea and co-operation with the investigation.

4. His unblemished record in relation to similar offences and good standing within the thoroughbred industry and community.

In the circumstances Mr Shum was fined the sum of $300,000.

Issued by Marc Van Gestel, Chief Stipendiary Steward