A former AFL player has been hit with a six-month ban by Racing NSW after he was found to have hurled abuse at his horse’s trainer at Randwick earlier this month.
Jason Love, a former Sydney Swans and North Melbourne player, pleaded guilty to using threatening language towards trainer Tom Charlton after his horse, Sydney Bowler, finished third in race eight at the midweek Kensington track meeting.
Mogo Magic took out the win in the Ranvet Handicap race (1250m), while Sydney Bowler was left to record his seventh winless start in his career, finishing third.
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That result did not sit lightly with Love, who stewards said acted in an “aggressive manner” towards Charlton when he was delivering his post-race briefing to owners.
Stewards said Love was seen pointing his finger in the face of Charlton and was heard using words in the effect of, “You will be next, keep smiling’.
Racing NSW investigators conducted interviews with witnesses and examined closed-circuit footage of the incident before the suspension was announced.
Trainer Tom Charlton looks on at Royal Randwick Racecourse. Getty
Love has been advised that his ban can be reduced to three months if he attends anger management counselling.
It is not the first suspension Love has received in a sporting context.
The 59-year-old played for North Melbourne in 45 games between 1986-89 before moving to the Sydney Swans for two years, where he played 23 games.
In 2005, Love was slapped with an eight-year ban by AFL Queensland for his involvement in a brawl with around 50 players, coaches and officials during a North Queensland grand final – a match which he coached North Cairns to victory in.
Over 400 matches were given out in bans to North Cairns players and staffers and their win was later declared to a be no-result due to the brawl.
Sydney Bowler was a leading contender for the 2024 Magic Millions Guineas but was scratched from the race after becoming cast in the barriers. He had to be sedated on the track as staff worked him free, which caused the race to be delayed 80 minutes.
The five-year-old was then sidelined for a year and has just once finished in the placings since returning to the track.
Sydney Bowler is scheduled to race at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.