If you were to use racing factors in determining which lawyer you would choose to battle racing Stewards, then Victorian barrister Damian Sheales’ form would make him a leading contender.
He is a man with success when it comes to battling racing authorities, regarded as an effective, forceful and successful lawyer when it comes to racing matters.
Grant and Alana Williams have appeared to change tack and hire Sheales as they fight to keep their business alive, the West Australian reported on Sunday night.
Sheales did not return Betsy’s calls on Monday.
The Williamses originally hired highly regarded KC Tom Percy, who represented them during an earlier Stewards’ hearing, but opted for Sheales as their legal process continues.
The duo, West Australia’s leading trainers, are currently banned from racing after one of their runners, Starry Nights, allegedly tested positive to Ritalin in Kalgoorlie last year. The gelding tragically broke down and passed away, with post-mortem testing later confirming the presence of the banned substance.
Sheales, of course, is well-known in Victorian racing circles as the go-to man for any jockey or trainer in legal strife.
He represented Danny O’Brien in his cobalt charges, Jamie Melham in her fight over bans relating to not being honest with Stewards regarding a party during COVID lockdowns, as well as Jarrod McLean who was Darren Weir’s assistant trainer. Much to the chagrin of racing authorities in Victoria, his strike rate is decent.
He is also currently representing a cohort of Victorian trainers fighting Racing Victoria over charges their horses tested positive to prohibited substances.
Sheales, his supporters say, knows the racing laws better than anyone and aggressively pursues his cases.
And, if Sheales is reading this, that’s a compliment.
He also, famously, successfully sued The Age in 2017 for defamation after he argued their coverage of his handling of O’Brien’s cobalt charges was defamatory. A jury agreed, and a judge handed him $175,000 in damages.
