Life Bans, $180k Fines For Live Baiting Trio

GROUP 1 winning trainer Troy Murray and his sons Connor and Jackson Murray have been handed life bans and fines totalling $180,000 for nine live baiting offences.

The announcement by Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA) comes following a thorough nine-month investigation after Murray's Lewiston property was raided in August last year following intelligence and video evidence of live baiting.

Following the raid, the registrations of Troy, Connor and Jackson Murray were immediately suspended while the training premises was de-registered.   

In a bid to lean on the covert vision obtained at Murray's property, GRSA took the unprecedented move of applying to the Supreme Court for an order to use the vision under the Surveillance Devices Act.  

The application was successful.

In announcing the life bans and hefty fines determined by the Integrity Hearings Panel (IHP), GRSA CEO Bodelle Francis said it was evidence of how committed the industry is to dealing with such matters.

"From first receiving the anonymous tip off about allegations of live baiting to advising the RSPCA and jointly raiding the premises took less than 24 hours, which is testament to the professionalism of our Integrity Department," Francis said. 

"This matter has challenged our industry, but I am extremely proud of how our team has prosecuted this issue and how the greyhound community has been united in its  condemnation of this abhorrent practice."

During what was a decorated training career, Murray claimed multiple training premierships and won a raft of big races, including two Group 1 Adelaide Cups, first with Miss Spicy in 2006 before Golden Night's victory in 2020. 

The life ban precludes the trio from participating in greyhound racing in any jurisdiction in Australia and New Zealand.

In addition, each participant was ordered to pay a fine of $20,000 for each offence, which is the maximum allowable under the rules. 

Troy Murray was fined $80,000 (four charges), Connor Murray $60,000 (three charges) and Jackson Murray $40,000 (two charges).  

GRSA Chair Grantley Stevens said the stern penalty sends a message of how seriously the industry takes integrity and welfare.

"We welcome the decision handed down by the independent Integrity Hearings Panel and the  penalties it has applied," Stevens said.

"This is the first case of live baiting ever confirmed in South Australia and this  outcome should send the strongest possible message about just how seriously we take the integrity of our sport."