AMERICA’S top woman racehorse trainer has been banned for three years and fined £35,000 for ‘corrupt and improper conduct’.
Linda Rice, 57, had her licence revoked with immediate effect by racing chiefs in New York after she was found to have paid for confidential information.
Bosses launched a probe into Rice’s conduct in 2018 after it was claimed she traded money for knowledge of horses from racecourse workers.
Rice, who denied the charges, was alleged to have paid for information on which horses were likely to enter races – giving her a competitive edge.
The investigation found emails and faxes Rice received from 2011 to 2015 in which she was told the names and records of horses.
Normally, the names of horses and trainers are not released until they have been officially declared.
A report into the probe found Rice’s misconduct was ‘intentional, serious and extensive’.
It also found that her actions ‘constituted improper and corrupt conduct in relation to racing’.
A New York gaming commission voted unanimously to fine Rice £35,000 – and she cannot apply for a new licence for three years.
A statement read: “The report concluded that Ms Rice’s misconduct involved receiving and request for confidential entry information in overnight races was intentional, serious and extensive.
Rice’s actions ‘constituted improper and corrupt conduct’, a report found
“It also concludes that her actions constituted improper and corrupt conduct in relation to racing in violation of NYCRR 4042.1 and were inconsistent with and detrimental to the best interests of horse racing.
“The Hearing Officer recommended the Commission impose a fine of $50,000 and immediately revoke her license to participate in thoroughbred horse racing and restricting her ability to apply for a new license for a period of no less than three years.”
Rice has been the dominant female racehorse trainer in the US for years.
She has saddled 2,107 winners – including group one winners Voodoo Song, City Zip and Tenski – over a career dating back to 1987.
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