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Racing NSW Stewards today conducted a hearing to determine charges issued against licensed trainer Mr Trevor Noon. Stewards issued the relevant charges to Mr Noon on the 26 July 2024.

Background

The charges subject of the hearing originated following an investigation as detailed below.

On 24 July 2024, Racing NSW Investigators commenced an investigation into the alleged conduct of licensed trainer Mr Trevor Noon while in attendance at Tamworth Racecourse for the purpose of attending the Racing NSW compulsory trainer’s seminar.

During this time, Mr Noon was said to have, while substantially intoxicated, verbally abused Racing NSW Officials, Stewards, other industry participants and members of the NSW Emergency Services for a prolonged period of time. The conduct occurred in an open space and was able to be seen and heard by other industry participants and the public.

Racing NSW Investigators conducted interviews with witnesses regarding the conduct alleged and compiled a brief of evidence for consideration.

On 26 July 2024, as a result of the investigation, Stewards issued six (6) charges against Mr Noon as detailed below.

Charges issued against Mr Trevor Noon

Charge 1: AR228(b)
The details of the charge being that, on the 24 July while at Tamworth Racecourse for the purpose of attending the Racing NSW compulsory trainer’s seminar, he engaged in unseemly behaviour by being heavily intoxicated and displaying overt signs of intoxication including but not limited to, stumbling, falling over and an inability to walk in a straight line.

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Charge 2: AR228(c)
The details of the charge being that, on the 24 July while at Tamworth Racecourse for the purpose of attending the Racing NSW compulsory trainer’s seminar, he engaged in improper conduct by directing aggressive and improper language towards Racing NSW Official Jack Prior.

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Charge 3: AR228(c)
The details of the charge being that, on the 24 July while at Tamworth Racecourse for the purpose of attending the Racing NSW compulsory trainer’s seminar, he engaged in improper conduct by directing aggressive and improper language towards Racing NSW Official Nikki Burke.

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Charge 4: AR228(b)
The details of the charge being that, on the 24 July while at Tamworth Racecourse for the purpose of attending the Racing NSW compulsory trainer’s seminar, he engaged in improper conduct by directing aggressive and improper language towards other industry participants.

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Charge 5: AR228(a)
The details of the charge being that, on the 24 July while at Tamworth Racecourse for the purpose of attending the Racing NSW compulsory trainer’s seminar, he engaged in conduct prejudicial to the image of racing by directing aggressive and improper language towards members of the NSW Ambulance Service.

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Charge 6: AR228(a)
The details of the charge being that, on the 24 July while at Tamworth Racecourse for the purpose of attending the Racing NSW compulsory trainer’s seminar, he engaged in conduct prejudicial to the image of racing by directing aggressive and improper language towards members of the NSW Police Force.

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Penalty

The following penalty considerations were taken into account -

• Guilty plea was entered at the earliest opportunity,
• Contrition shown by Mr Noon and his willingness to accept responsibility for his conduct,
• Objective seriousness of the conduct,
• Mr Noon’s personal and professional circumstances,
• Principle of specific and general deterrence and what message is sent to the industry in respect to such conduct,
• Purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image, interests and welfare of the thoroughbred racing industry.

Charge 1 – 3 months disqualification reduced to 2 months (to be served wholly concurrent with charges 2 – 6)

Charge 2 – 4 months disqualification reduced to 3 months

Charge 3 – 4 months disqualification reduced to 3 months

Charge 4 – 3 months disqualification reduced to 2 months

Charge 5 – 6 months disqualification reduced to 5 months

Charge 6 - 6 months disqualification reduced to 5 months

Having regard to the principles of totality and proportionality, in addition to the orders in respect of concurrency for charge 1 as set out above. Stewards have ruled that the total base period of disqualification would be 23 months. Additionally, allowing for the discount on pleas and mitigating factors, Stewards determined the total period of disqualification to be 18 months.

Under the powers afforded by AR283(7), Stewards ordered the commencement of the penalty be deferred for a period of seven (7) days, however, during this period Mr Noon is not to start a horse in a race.

Relevant Rules:

AR 228 Conduct detrimental to the interests of racing

A person must not engage in:

(a) conduct prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity, or welfare of racing, whether or not that conduct takes place within a racecourse or elsewhere;

(b) misconduct, improper conduct or unseemly behaviour; 

(c) improper or insulting behaviour at any time towards a PRA, the Stewards, a Club, or any official, employee, contractor or agent of any of them in relation to the relevant person’s functions, powers or duties;

Division 4 – Penalties 

AR 283 Penalties

(7) A person or body authorised by these Australian Rules to suspend or disqualify any trainer may defer the commencement of the period of suspension or disqualification for no more than 7 clear days following the day the suspension or disqualification was imposed, and upon terms and conditions considered fit. 

- D R Hadley (GM-Investigations, Racing NSW)