Barb Joseph, Matt Jones and Paul Jones set to appeal ban after horse dies

The tight-knit racing community was rocked by the result of a four-week inquiry into the death of four-year-old I Am Rocky at the Canberra stables in February.

The inquiry found Joseph, Jones and Matt Jones guilty of two charges: failing to lodge a stable return and failing to provide veterinary treatment for I Am Rocky.

But it's believed Joseph and her sons are preparing to fight the decision and defend their reputation at the ACT racing appeals tribunal. The co-trainers have seven days to finalise an appeal.

The unraced I Am Rocky was suspected of suffering of colic and died on February 24. Evidence at the inquiry said a post-mortem examination report provided a "gross diagnosis of right dorsal displacement of the large colon".

The Joseph-Jones training combination was fined $200 for failing to lodge the stable return and suspended for six months for failing to provide veterinary treatment.

The six-month ban was reduced to four months following a guilty plea and recognition for the partnership's first breach of the related rule, as well as their long history.

Joseph and Paul Jones declined to comment. ACT Racing officials were also unable to comment given an appeal would be heard by the ACT racing appeals tribunal.

The inquiry gathered evidence from the co-trainers, stablehands, a stable foreperson, vets and owners of I Am Rocky.

Evidence on the Racing NSW website said the co-trainers became aware I Am Rocky was displaying symptoms of colic at 4am on February 23.

I Am Rocky was checked by stable staff and the co-trainers before the horse was found dead in its stable at 7.30pm on February 24.

Joseph is regarded as a trail blazer for women in the racing industry after gaining her licence in 1975. She was the first woman to win the group 1 Doncaster Handicap and is respected as one of the leading trainers in Canberra and the wider region.

The Joseph-Jones partnership will be eligible to continue training obligations until July 3 while they weigh up their appeal options.

Joseph Jones Racing has numerous horses in work at Thoroughbred Park in Canberra. It also breeds and spells horses at its 1200ha farm at Bombala.

In 2016 the trainers built a large training stable facility adjacent to the Sapphire Coast Turf Club in Kalaru.

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