Leading trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman are facing charges following an investigation into alleged race day treatment breaches involving two of their runners, Moonhaven and Kira, in August this year.
Trainer Tom Dabernig has also been charged after his gelding, Ashford Street, returned a positive swab to multiple prohibited substances following his run in the Millennium Sprint at Caulfield in 2024.
The Freedmans have previously stated that their two runners were treated by accident on the morning of the races, citing human error.
Both horses were withdrawn from their respective races by order of the Stewards at Caulfield.
According to RV, the scratchings followed an unannounced visit by the Stewards to the Freedman stable’s Cranbourne training base on race morning. Upon arrival, Stewards observed Kira receiving treatment via a nebuliser, a form of medication delivery that is prohibited on race day without prior approval.
Subsequent interviews with the Freedman team revealed that Moonhaven had also received nebuliser treatment that morning, leading to both horses being stood down from racing.
Under racing rules, any administration of medication on race day before a horse competes is strictly forbidden without Stewards’ consent.
According to Racing Victoria, further breaches were identified upon inspection of the stable’s treatment records. The Stewards allege the Freedmans had failed to properly record medications or treatments given to Moonhaven and Kira between 1 July and 15 August 2025, contrary to race day treatment record-keeping requirements.
“An oversight occurred within the stable for which we take full responsibility. We are committed to working openly and cooperatively with the Racing Victoria stewards as they conduct their inquiry,” the Freedman stable said in August.
“We take pride in our integrity and the strength of our systems, but any system in the world can fall victim to human error. Therefore, we will conduct an immediate and in-depth review to ensure that all processes continue to meet our stringent requirements and do everything possible to mitigate future risk.”
Meanwhile RV announced on Monday that Dabernig faces charges of his own after Ashford Street returned a positive swab to multiple prohibited substances following his run in the Millennium Sprint at Caulfield in 2024.
Prior to the race, Stewards collected a urine sample as part of standard raceday procedures.
Analysis of that sample detected the presence of Testosterone, Formestane and 4-hydroxytestosterone.
All three substances are prohibited under the Australian Rules of Racing.
The substances were identified independently by Racing Analytical Service Limited (RASL) and the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL).
Testosterone and 4-hydroxytestosterone are classified as anabolic androgenic steroids.
Charges against Dabernig and the Freedmans have been referred to the Victorian Racing Tribunal, with a hearing date yet to be scheduled.
