Ron Ball Handed Fresh Long Ban By Stewards

DISGRACED trainer Ron Ball has been warned off for a further 10-year period by the Queensland Racing & Integrity Commission (QRIC) thwarting any hopes of a return to the training fold.

Ball, who during his five-decade training career prepared such greats as Flying Amy, was handed a life ban from the industry in 2015 for live baiting offences.

But the lifetime disqualification was slashed to 10-years on appeal, which was due to expire on May 26, 2025. It kept the door slightly ajar for a return to the training ranks. 

Last Friday, QRIC Stewards closed the door on any potential return, announcing that Ball would serve a further 10 years on the sidelines following the finalisation of an inquiry launched in October, 2022. 

At the time, Ball was found to be present and handling greyhounds on the property of his partner and then licenced person, Serena Lawrance, a direct contravention of the racing rules.

Lawrence was disqualified for 18 months over the incident but after lodging an appeal, decision-makers added a further 12 months, extending her overall disqualified period to 30 months. She hasn't trained since.

Until now, Ball's transgressions hadn't been dealt with, but he will now be disqualified until October 9, 2032.

"On Thursday, 5 June 2025, having considered all available evidence, Stewards made a final determination with respect of Mr Ball handling greyhounds when, at the relevant time, he was a Warned Off person, which breaches the conditions of GAR 178," a QRIC statement read. 

"Stewards determined to invoke the provisions of GAR 179 and deemed the most recent breach to be on 9 October 2022. 

"Therefore, Mr Ball's Warning Off is to recommence for a period of 10 years from this date up to and including 9 October 2032. 

"GAR 179 also provides for a further penalty to be considered, however due to the circumstances of this breach and the already significant penalty this automatically imposes, the Stewards determined not to apply a further penalty. 

"Mr Ball was advised of his right to a review of the decision."

Ball was removed from the Queensland Greyhound Racing Hall of Fame when warned off in 2015.

The fresh 10-year disqualification was delivered just a day before the Group 1 Flying Amy Classic was run and won at Q2 Parklands.