Birdsville Cup winner disqualified, trainer charged | Just horse racing

It’s a story that has been brewing for some time now and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission have now released their findings confirming the disqualification of Birdsville Cup winner Testator Silens.

Trainer Clinton Austin was charged on two counts.

Allegation 1: … that a post-race blood sample from Testator Silens contained the banned sunstone Bupivacaine and Lignocaine during a period when Austin was Testator Silens’ approved trainer at all times.

Allegation 2: …during the period up to and including September 6, 2025, Austin failed to record the treatments given to the horses in his care, as he is required to do under the Australian Rules of Racing.

Austin pleaded guilty to the charge, after which the stewards weighed several considerations in determining the penalty, including Austin’s cooperation in the investigative process and his nearly forty years in the industry with no prior violations of controlled substance regulations.

Charge 1: Austin was fined $4,000, of which $2,000 was fully suspended for 24 months, provided Mr. Austin does not violate any of the prohibited substances during that period.

Charge 2: $300 fine.

With the disqualification of Testatpr Sirens… the stewards changed the finishing order to read:

1 The drilling machine

2 Scorched land

3 Without revenge

4 Victory Bay

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