![\"Taige](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/9189cd1fafcf64bd08321720c00222780a2f0a09.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n$20,050 bill<\/p>\n
Gordon was living and working with Taige Weir, assisting his partner with her fledgling pre-training business, when he took his willingness to help a step too far.<\/p>\n
An accomplished horseman who breaks in young stock for Weir at their Ballarat property, charging $2500-$3000 an animal, he attended the William Inglis Yearling Sales in Oaklands with his girlfriend on March 4 this year.<\/p>\n
While there, he registered his name with the auction house, bid successfully on the 12-month-old Doubtland filly and then used his bank account to settle the $20,050 bill \u2013 $14,000 for the horse and $6050 in fees.<\/p>\n
Unbeknown to Gordon, he was being watched by Racing Victoria integrity liaison officer Frank De Rango.<\/p>\n
\u201cI followed them into the auditorium and was in close proximity as Gordon and Weir stood at the rear of the auditorium, adjacent to the auctioneer\u2019s box,\u201d De Rango said in evidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI then witnessed Gordon raise his hand and place a bid on lot 644. The bid was successful, and the relevant horse was knocked down to Gordon.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Taige Weir has ambitions to become a trainer.Credit: Jason South<\/p>\n
De Rango, who attended the sales in a regulatory role relating to ownership and syndication, then tipped off Racing Victoria stewards.<\/p>\n
They charged Gordon with breaking AR 116 \u2013 \u201ca jockey is not permitted to own, take a lease or have any interest in a horse\u201d \u2013 which carries a mandatory two-year disqualification. Stewards offered him a three-month ban if he agreed to an early guilty plea.<\/p>\n
Weir\u2019s horse<\/p>\n
When stewards first approached Gordon on March 26, he claimed he was only trying to help his girlfriend.<\/p>\n
He said she wanted to buy a horse to kickstart her training career, but because she was short of funds it was \u201cagreed we would have a look together, but I would purchase the horse with her\u201d.<\/p>\n
Paperwork showed the Doubtland filly was not signed over to Weir until March 25 \u2013 three weeks after it was bought at the Inglis sales. Gordon was listed by Inglis as the \u201cpurchaser\u201d.<\/p>\n
But Gordon insisted the horse was always Weir\u2019s \u201cto pre-train and do whatever she wants with it\u201d.<\/p>\n
Loading<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe I should have transferred Taige the money, and she could have put her name down,\u201d Gordon told stewards. \u201cI just didn\u2019t think anything of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Weir agreed. She said Gordon bid at the auction on her behalf because she \u201cgets nervous\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe obviously signed for it because the money was coming out of his bank account because he was helping me out,\u201d she told stewards.<\/p>\n
\u201cI obviously didn\u2019t know there was a rule involved, and I don\u2019t think Will did, either. Looking back, we wish that I had just done it myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gordon pleaded not guilty to the ownership charge, his legal counsel barrister Damian Sheales told the tribunal, because he was only ever acting as Weir\u2019s agent.<\/p>\n
Sheales said Gordon always intended \u201cthat he would be repaid or reimbursed by Ms Weir\u201d.<\/p>\n
Trying to help<\/p>\n
Racing Victoria\u2019s integrity department wanted Gordon disqualified.<\/p>\n
\u201cIrrespective of whatever arrangement or understanding he may have had with his partner, the fact is, he on this day purchased this horse and was the owner,\u201d legal counsel Marwan El-Asmar said on behalf of stewards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis idea of a jockey appearing as an agent at an auction and bidding completely undermines the integrity of the industry. And that\u2019s why it doesn\u2019t happen. I\u2019ve never heard of a jockey bidding at an auction. Never.\u201d<\/p>\n
But the tribunal found that Gordon was acting as Weir\u2019s agent at all relevant times.<\/p>\n
![\"Will](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/7766c546415235763611d9cfcbf3378508834576.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Will Gordon rides in this year\u2019s May carnival at Warrnambool.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cThat period [of agency] embraces registering for the sale, bidding and purchasing the horse,\u201d VRT chairman Judge John Bowman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you said when interviewed by the stewards: \u2018I was just trying to help my partner … when she didn\u2019t have the funds. I don\u2019t see how that damaged anyone or anything\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
The tribunal dismissed the charge, pursuant to AR 116, against Gordon.<\/p>\n
Gordon pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of being involved in the buying of thoroughbred bloodstock (AR 118), and while stewards again called for a three-month disqualification, the tribunal settled on a $2500 fine.<\/p>\n
Fit and proper<\/p>\n
Whether Gordon ever rides in a race for his partner or for his prospective father-in-law remains to be seen.<\/p>\n
Taige Weir is yet to apply for a trainer\u2019s licence. Her father cannot reapply until the eve of next year\u2019s spring carnival. But even then, he has hurdles to overcome.<\/p>\n
Weir, the winner of the 2015 Melbourne Cup with Prince Of Penzance, must prove to the Racing Victoria board that he is a fit and proper person to re-enter the training ranks.<\/p>\n
A precedent has already been set. Late last month, the RV board rejected former stable hand Tyson Kermond\u2019s application to ride track work again after serving more than five years\u2019 suspension for his part in the Weir case.<\/p>\n
Kermond was told by the RV board he did not meet the requirements of its \u201csuitability policy\u201d, which was adopted in 2019.<\/p>\n