Leading Wagga trainer Trevor Sutherland has been disqualified for three years.
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Sutherland fronted a stewards inquiry in Sydney on Tuesday after an investigation was launched into the slaughter of two retired racehorses by a third party.
Sutherland was found guilty of three charges and disqualified for three years.
The most serious charge saw Sutherland found guilty of having disposed of racehorses Redzu and Rozzi in April this year, in the knowledge they were to be 'destroyed' in contravention of Racing NSW's rules.
Sutherland pleaded not guilty to the charge and has lodged an appeal.
He did plead guilty to the two other charges surrounding the paperwork of Bless You Toby, who was found to be deceased in July.
Sutherland pleaded guilty to a charge of having failed to report to Racing Australia, by lodging the relevant death notification form, that Bless You Toby was found to be deceased on July 7.
He also pleaded guilty to making a false declaration on July 13 that he lodged a stable return that Bless You Toby was spelling in Yass, when he was aware the horse had died a week earlier.
At the same inquiry, Donnchadh Brown was disqualified for four years for 'disposing' of Redzu and Rozzi in April, and Hangin' With Willy and Witchblade in July.
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All four were trained by Sutherland.
In assessing Sutherland's penalty, Racing NSW chairman of stewards Marc Van Gestel stated that the pleas entered, his clean record and long licensing history and references provided were all taken into account.
The six-time Southern District premiership-winning trainer was unable to be contacted by The Daily Advertiser on Tuesday but had maintained his innocence throughout the investigation, that saw him stood down, effective immediately, last month.
