Horse racing identity Damion Flower pleads guilty to drug charges

High-profile racehorse owner Damion Flower has pleaded guilty in court following his arrest for importing significant amounts of cocaine into Australia.

The 48-year-old finally appeared before Sydney's Downing Centre District Court on Monday after days of legal dispute about the facts in his matter.

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Flower was arrested in May 2019 accused of importing 38 kilograms of cocaine into the country through a network of baggage handlers.

He had been scheduled to face trial in February after denying all charges.

But on Monday he pleaded guilty to importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug between June 2016 and May 2019, and dealing with money believed to be the proceeds of crime greater than $100,000 found at his Moorebank home.

Damion Flower set to be sentenced in September

The former airport baggage handler rose to prominence in racing with Group One-winning horse Snitzel.

The horse went on to become Australia's champion stallion, commanding $40 million a year in service fees.

Until his arrest, he also owned a slot in Australia's richest horse race, The Everest.

He is due to be sentenced along with former baggage handler To'or'o (John) Mafiti over two days in September.

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