AN Aussie trainer has been banned for three months after an expletive-laden Facebook post.
Norm Loy was suspended after an online tirade “after a couple of beers” aimed at prominent New South Wales (NSW) politician Gladys Berejiklian and her handling of the state’s Covid outbreak.
Racing NSW stewards launched a probe after Loy posted several comments on his personal social media account.
He was hit with the ban on Friday after making “two highly inappropriate comments in respect of a person who holds a high public office,” according to racing officials.
In one post Loy labelled the Berejiklian a “moron” and a “mole” while he also questioned the state’s decision making behind extended Covid lockdowns across rural NSW.
Loy was found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the interests of racing after fronting a Stewards’ inquiry last week.
The rule states participants must not engage in conduct prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity, or welfare of racing, whether or not that conduct takes place within a racecourse or elsewhere.
Loy confirmed on Monday that he intends to appeal the ruling, insisting the comments were a personal opinion.
He said: “It‘s my opinion, other people have different opinions but I’ve shared this on my own personal Facebook page.
“Someone else has screenshotted it and then shared it with a bunch of other people who weren’t on my page. If anything that person has breached my privacy.
“I might rant something on Facebook after a couple of beers but it‘s my opinion and if you don’t like it you don’t have to be on my page.
“I didn’t put it on Twitter or post it anywhere other than my personal account.
“It’s not about racing, it’s my frustration about everything else that’s going on.”
Loy has been warned about his conduct on social media in the past, and stewards took that into account when handing down his penalty.
It’s the second controversy involving the trainer in as many weeks.
He recently gave evidence at a hearing which saw another trainer, Gordon Yorke, banned for over four months after he angrily confronted Loy on July 31.
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