The Group 1 winning mare earned more than $1.5 million in her career before becoming enmeshed in a major racing con spearheaded by notorious conman and convicted criminal Peter Foster.
Joining Azkadellia in the Echuca sale ring were horses Mr Simples, Loveable Rogue and Hart. They sold for a pittance by comparison, each going just above $1000.
In 2017 Racing Victoria’s Racing Appeals and Discipinary (RAD) Board heard Foster was the 'mastermind' behind an arrangement with high-profile trainer Ciaron Maher's former racing manager, Ben Connolly, to deceive stewards over the true ownership of Azkadellia, Mr Simples, Loveable Rogue, Hart and Little Bubulu (which has since died).
Maher was suspended for six months and fined $75,000 for his involvement in the matter. Connolly was disqualified till January 2020.
Racing Victoria said the all those horses werey the subject of a racing embargo.
“The embargo on these four horses competing in races remains in place and will not be lifted by RV Stewards until such time as they are satisfied regarding the bona fides of the ownership,” it read.
“RV Stewards formed the view that until such time as they receive an order from a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction declaring the ownership of these horses, they would not be in a position to determine the bona fides of the ownership and therefore consider lifting the embargo.
“The RAD Board also ordered on 23 October 2017 that Azkadellia, Mr Simples, Loveable Rogue and Hart be disqualified from all Victorian races in which they competed under the ownership of Mr Connolly.”
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