Mark Waugh's horse trainer wife Kim hit with serious charges
Veteran horse trainer Kim Waugh, the wife of Aussie cricket great Mark, has been hit with three charges of animal cruelty by Racing NSW.
Kim Waugh will face a stewards hearing later this month after allegedly failing to prevent the use of illegal spurs.
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Racing NSW announced on Thursday that Waugh and jockey Serg Lisnyy will both face charges relating to injuries suffered by three-year-old gelding Tarsus during trackwork in Wyong in March.
Waugh has been hit with three charges including “failing to exercise reasonable care or supervision to the racehorse Tarsus to prevent an act of cruelty”.
She has also been charged with failing to report the alleged mistreatment, as well as improper conduct towards a complainant.
Lisnyy was charged with using spurs while riding Tarsus “in a manner that mistreated the horse and resulted in Tarsus sustaining injuries to its off side flank region”.
Waugh will reportedly fight the charges and denies the accusations.
It is her first welfare charge in more than 30 years in the racing industry.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Waugh was not present at the trackwork session in question.
Kim's husband Mark is publicly listed as a part-owner of the horse.
Kim Waugh and Serg Lisnyy deny allegations
Lisnyy is also set to fight the charges.
“I don’t think the charges are right,” he told the Herald.
“They were normal spurs and similar to ones used by kids at pony club.
"I will be protesting my innocence and these charges are not good for business.”
Lisnyy has not been stood down and will ride at Newcastle, Mudgee and Quirindi this weekend.
Waugh has enjoyed one of the best seasons of her career, with horses winning $1.4 million in prize money throughout 2020-21.
She will face a hearing at Racing NSW headquarters on May 20.
Kim's husband Mark is one of Australia's most successful cricketers, playing 128 Tests and 244 one-day internationals for his country.
He scored 8029 Test runs at an average of 41.81, while amassing 8500 runs in the 50-over format at a clip of 39.35.
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