Bunbury trainer fined for neglect of horses

A Bunbury trainer has been fined $1500 and disqualified for 12 months after six horses on his property were found in “below average body condition”.

Racing and Wagering Western Australia stewards found trainer Matteo Daqui guilty of three charges following an inquiry from December 21.

Daqui has been a prominent horse trainer for more than two decades with his thoroughbreds featuring in races such as Bunbury and Perth cups.

The inquiry found that six horses on Daqui’s Bunbury property were in below average body condition with three needing veterinary treatment for lice and all six in need of farrier attention.

Daqui was found guilty of being a person in charge of a horse and failing to provide veterinary treatment that was necessary, failing to provide proper and sufficient nutrition for a horse and being negligent.

The inquiry found Daqui failed to provide vet treatment for lice and proper and sufficient nutrition for a number of horses.

With the exception of an eight-month-old foal, the horses were ruled as being underweight and scored below the acceptable standard.

Daqui was negligent because he failed to have adequate farrier treatment provided resulting in the horses’ feet being labelled in poor condition.

Stewards took into account Daqui’s previous record which showed a fine of $1500 for an offence in 2015.

It was also noted that the horses had since been restored to good health.

“When considering penalty, stewards took into account ... the racing industry’s commitment to maintaining the highest degrees of welfare at all times for all animals involved in the industry,” a RWWA statement said.

“(Along with) previous penalties issued for related matters and the seriousness of the matters and the need for deterrence to reinforce and maintain the high standards of animal welfare that apply within the industry as a whole.”

Daqui was fined $750 on two of the charges and disqualified from the industry for 12 months.

Daqui could not be contacted for comment.