South Australian trainer Dennis O’Leary and his wife Karen have been hit with lengthy disqualifications for serious welfare breaches that saw three of their retired thoroughbreds euthanised.
After being alerted to concerns regarding the welfare of retired horses in July 2022, Racing SA welfare and veterinary officials immediately inspected the Normanville property to discover the dire situation, making subsequent visits with representatives from the RSPCA.
An independent veterinarian established that three horses were “beyond rehabilitation” and “had to be humanely euthanised”, three were treated and rehomed while a further eight horses were sold to a third party with the consent of the RSPCA.
The horses euthanised were Coally Bore, Serenity Jane and 2012 Group 3 DC McKay Stakes winner Outlandish Lad, while All Bar Two, Eureka Pulse and Lunar Melody were saved.
Magical Pearl, who won the Listed Penny Edition Stakes in 2009 and the Listed Balaklava Cup in 2011, was one of the eight horses sold.
The O’Learys were charged with a host of welfare breaches, including failing to take reasonable steps to alleviate any pain suffered by horses in their care, failing to provide veterinary treatment and failing to provide proper and sufficient nutrition.
The long-running case concluded on Tuesday, with both pleading guilty to all charges.
Racing SA stewards disqualified Karen, a registered stable employee, for 24 months and Dennis for 18 months, the latter getting a lesser penalty because he assumed a secondary role in their care and didn’t not have day-to-day oversight of the horses.
Dennis has collected 116 winners across the past 10 seasons with Magical Pearl and Outlandish Lad the best horses he’s trained.
The O’Learys cannot participate in any form of racing or breeding activities or be present at any racing/training/breeding facility in Australia for the duration of their disqualifications, which begin at midnight on Tuesday, March 28.
“Equine welfare is at the heart of everything we do at Racing SA, and breaches of the rules will not be tolerated,” Racing SA chief executive Vaughn Lynch said.
“We are proud to have rehabilitated three of the horses from the property involved and I commend the work of Racing SA’s welfare team, Thorough Care SA.
“Racing SA invests significant resources to support the welfare of horses before, during and after their racing career and is committed to delivering world’s best practice.”
Originally published as Dennis and Karen O’Leary disqualified for serious welfare breaches resulting in the death of three horses
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