Freedman Fined for Twitter Outburst

May 30, 2011

Freedman Fined for Twitter Outburst

Lee Freedman

Trainer Lee Freedman

Lee Freedman will meet with Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey after a post on social media site Twitter lead to the trainer copping a $750 fine.

Following the scratching of his two year old Our Smokin’ Rock at Caulfield, Freedman tweeted: “World First at Caulfield vet scr Our Smokin Rock at gate because he thinks it made a noise!!! What a disgrace”

Freedman said he wanted to gain an understanding of how a horse making a noise behind the barrier could lead to its withdrawal.

Veterinarian John McCaffrey told stewards he ordered the withdrawal of Our Smokin’ Rock because the two year colt was making a respiratory noise that he had never heard in his career.

“To my mind this is a world first. How many horses get scratched at the gates because they make a noise?” asked Freedman.

“Ninety per cent of horses that have wind operations make some sought of noise. Are they all going to be scratched at the gates because they make a noise?”

Freedman went onto say that there was no need to ever scratch a horse because of a potential respiratory ailment because horses with such problems normally just pull themselves out of the race.

Freedman admitted that he was wrong to use the word ‘disgrace’, but also expressed disbelief that he was the first trainer to be fined for comments made on a social media site.

“The stewards had to do what they did when I used the word ‘disgrace’. I could have easily tweeted the thing without using that word and saved myself $750,” Freedman said

Freedman’s vet inspected Our Smokin’ Rock an hour after he was removed from the race and could find no abnormalities.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

Pride Of Jenni Wins 2024 Queen...

Sydney Cup 2024 Winner Circle ...

Sydney Cup 2024 Winner Circle Of Fire Salutes for Punters

Another staying race goes to star horseman Ciaron Maher whose race favourite,...

Australian Oaks 2024 Results: ...

Australian Oaks 2024 Results: Autumn Angel Beats Zardozi on the Back-Up

Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman continued their ace The Championships’...

2024 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Res...

2024 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Results: Joliestar Returns a Winner for Waller

Joliestar was terrific in her first-up run since taking out last year’s...

2024 Percy Sykes Stakes Result...

2024 Percy Sykes Stakes Results: Eneeza Beats Lady Of Camelot

The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Eneeza ran up to form...

Race Results

2024 Queen Of The Turf Stakes Results: Waller Runs Quinella with Zougotcha and Atishu

Pride Of Jenni Wins 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Historical Demolition Job

Sydney Cup 2024 Winner Circle Of Fire Salutes for Punters

Australian Oaks 2024 Results: Autumn Angel Beats Zardozi on the Back-Up

2024 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Results: Joliestar Returns a Winner for Waller

Race Previews

2024 The Quokka Race Tips & Best Bets

Manaal Heads Champagne Stakes 2024 Field & Betting

2024 All Aged Stakes Field & Betting Update: Espiona Leads Markets

2024 The Quokka Field, Barriers & Betting Update: Amelia’s Jewel Favourite Out Wide

Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2024 Tips & Best Bets

Fields & Form

2024 The Quokka Race Tips & Best Bets

Manaal Heads Champagne Stakes 2024 Field & Betting

2024 All Aged Stakes Field & Betting Update: Espiona Leads Markets

2024 The Quokka Field, Barriers & Betting Update: Amelia’s Jewel Favourite Out Wide

Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2024 Tips & Best Bets