General News
24 February, 2026
Owner barred from racing over horse death
Racing NSW has disqualified stablehand and horse owner Brian Carey for 16 months, following the death of a racehorse on his Maryborough property.
Mr Carey was found guilty at a hearing at Racing NSW Headquarters last Wednesday for failing to provide adequate care to former racehorse City Limits.
Racing NSW charged Mr Carey on January 20 after the thoroughbred was found dead on his private property on January 12.
Mr Carey pleaded not guilty to failing to ensure the horse was provided with sufficient nutrition and water.
Racing NSW’s report outlined Mr Carey, who lives in NSW, had “left the gelding in the care of persons with limited horse-handling or equine husbandry experience” and “insufficient additional supervision or safeguards were put in place to ensure the gelding’s ongoing welfare”.
Mr Carey took responsibility of City Limits after it sustained a leg injury months prior, leaving it to spell at the property.
The former racehorse was found dead around eight weeks later.
The incident followed a series of allegations into neglect at the property, and prompted an immediate investigation by Racing NSW and the RSPCA.
The report outlined the horse was “observed to be in very poor body condition” upon it’s discovery.
Nearby resident Sharon Haynes felt the verdict was a long time coming.
“This is not the first horse to die on that property in that condition, and the worst part is you can’t get on there to do anything about it,” she said.
Ms Haynes feels the penalty needs to extend across all racing codes, preventing Mr Carey from being able to have any horse in his ownership again.
“I still believe further needs to happen ... the trotting association should be able to name him and shame him to protect standardbreds,” she said.
The period of disqualification will expire on May 17, 2027.
Upon expiration, Mr Carey will be required to make an application to be relicenced.