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

Vibrant Sun Shines in 2024 Aus...

Seonee Wins Queen Of The South...

Seonee Wins Queen Of The South Stakes 2024

Seonee rolled up and joined the leader Legacy 150m out from the line before...

2024 Tobin Bronze Stakes Resul...

2024 Tobin Bronze Stakes Results: Skybird Soars to Victory

The Mitchell Freedman-trained filly Skybird has scored an impressive win in...

2024 Queen Of The Turf Stakes ...

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

Trainer Chris Waller rounded out the Group 1 races at Royal Randwick on...

Pride Of Jenni Wins 2024 Queen...

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

Racegoers at Royal Randwick witnessed what will go down in the history books...

Race Results

2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Results: Climbing Star Stuns in Local Upset

Vibrant Sun Shines in 2024 Australasian Oaks Results

Seonee Wins Queen Of The South Stakes 2024

2024 Tobin Bronze Stakes Results: Skybird Soars to Victory

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

Race Previews

Fawkner Park Heads Wagga Wagga Gold Cup 2024 Field & Odds

2024 Queensland Guineas Field & Betting Update on Derby Lead-Up

Uncommon James Heads 2024 Victory Stakes Field & Betting

Warrnambool Cup 2024 Field & Betting Update: Little Mix Favourite

Australasian Oaks 2024 Field & Odds Update: Wings Of Song Favourite

Fields & Form

Fawkner Park Heads Wagga Wagga Gold Cup 2024 Field & Odds

2024 Queensland Guineas Field & Betting Update on Derby Lead-Up

Uncommon James Heads 2024 Victory Stakes Field & Betting

Warrnambool Cup 2024 Field & Betting Update: Little Mix Favourite

Australasian Oaks 2024 Field & Odds Update: Wings Of Song Favourite