The case of Grant and Alana Williams is a high stakes event – West Australia’s leading training team have been banned from competing after one of their runners tested positive to a banned substance, and later died.
We’re not saying the two are linked – the substance and the fatality – but the optics are a challenge for the Williamses, and racing in general.
If the charges are proven against the duo, you would believe they face a lengthy suspension.
The duo deny the accusation and in the eyes of the law and some within the community, they are innocent, with no charges found to be true.
The Stewards earlier this week took the significant step of banning the Williamses from competing, or even trialling their runners, while the charges are heard.
The prominent duo had their suspension from racing continued by Stewards on Thursday night.
The case surrounds their former horse, Starry Night, who tested positive to Ritalin back in October last year.
Tragically Starry Night broke down and passed away in the same race at Kalgoorlie, with testing later revealing the presence of Ritalin.
When news of the Williams’ positive test broke last week, it seemed a big call to some that they couldn’t race while Stewards investigated.
The training duo continues to maintain their innocence.
“At no stage have we knowingly administered, or authorised the administration of, any prohibited substance to Starry Heights,” the trainers said last week.
“We have no explanation at this time as to how this substance could have entered the horse’s system.”
Racing WA stewards released a statement on Thursday night.
‘’Mr and Mrs Williams, as the co-licensed trainers, brought and presented STARRY HEIGHTS for the purposes of participating in Race 8 at Kalgoorlie on 4 October 2025 where the Prohibited List A substance Ritalinic Acid was detected in a post-mortem sample taken after it had competed in and been eased out of the race,” the statement said.
‘’The inquiry is to resume on a date to be determined to admit a plea to the charge and for the matter to proceed accordingly.”
‘’After consideration of detailed submissions from the parties, Stewards have also determined that it is appropriate to direct pursuant to Local Rule 22 (LR22) that the licences of Mr and Mrs Williams be suspended pending the determination of the charge.’’
Those who have spoken to Betsy about the case are genuinely torn about whether an interim suspension is the right call. Our country’s legal system is based around the belief of innocent until proven guilty.
Trainers who are accused of presenting their horses with a banned substance are often allowed to continue to operate.
But is the cost to the industry of the Williamses continuing to race too great?
How would it look if the duo were to saddle up winner and do post-race media with such a serious accusation hanging over their head, and by extension West Australian racing?
But what if the Williamses win their case – what price have they paid?
There is one line in the release which perhaps indicates on what Stewards may be resting their decision to issue a suspension.
‘’Past precedent in Western Australia where, in similar circumstances, similar action has been taken under LR22 for the protection of the interests of racing in relation to permanently banned substances that are not of potentially endogenous origin,’’ stewards said.
In other words, what Stewards seem to be saying, is that the Ritalin found in Starry Heights had to be either consumed or administered.
‘’Taking all matters into account and having regard to the intent and purpose of [rule] LR22, the continued and prolonged participation of a person subject to inquiry in relation to a permanently banned substance of this nature would not in the Stewards’ view be in the best interests of racing in the circumstances of this case,’’ the release said.
That may be the view of the Stewards – that the Williamses not saddling up winners on Saturday is not in racing’s interest – and they will have supporters.
It’s a big call and it may prove to be the right one.
But it is also a somewhat uneasy situation where two premier trainers find their careers and business at risk [plus their staff] based on an accusation yet to be proven.
