Disqualified Linda Britton takes out WA’s leading trainer award

LEADING greyhound identities in Western Australia have defended the decision to crown disqualified the state's no.1 trainer.

Britton, who was not allowed to attend the function on Sunday night, continued her stranglehold on the mantle as WA's leading trainer despite being disqualified for 18 months by Racing and Western Australia on January 18.



Britton was sidelined from the training ranks after her star greyhound was found to have a prohibited substance in urine samples taken after she won the WA Sprint Championship and then placed third in the 1 last August. 



While Zelemar Fever was disqualified from both events, Britton still managed to train 299 winners from 1,285 starters throughout 2014, a feat which saw her claim the title of leading trainer.

RWWA's Manager of Greyhound Racing, Mark Bottcher, told Australian Racing Greyhound that they never questioned Britton's eligibility for the award despite the fact that she is now a disqualified person.



“No, not really especially given that the award was for the 2014 calendar year based on the number of winners she trained across the three tracks, obviously Linda was not disqualified until this year,” Bottcher said.

“We didn't feel it was appropriate to take that award off her because it was something she has achieved by training all throughout that year while she was a licensed person.

“As far as that award is concerned we don't really have any criteria in there that we wouldn't award it to someone that became disqualified at some point.”



Britton has won the Leading Trainer Award every year since it's inception – she also won the Trainers' title for a record 16th time in 2014 while she took out the Mandurah Trainers' title for the seventh time.



Britton was unable to accept the award on the night that saw her two of her former chasers, Zelemar Fever and Star , fight it out to be named , with the latter ultimately victorious.



“Because she is disqualified and it was a RWWA official function she couldn't be there, so she couldn't accept that award or the accolades of having two greyhound of the year contenders including the greyhound of the year winner,” Bottcher said.



“I was at the evening and the response was quite good, there was a reasonable amount of cheering in the audience when her name was mentioned. Obviously she had some kennel staff and people connected to her which were there, there wasn't much negativity.”



Australian Racing Greyhound attempted to contact some of WA's other leading trainers to get their thoughts on Britton taking out the award. While several declined to comment, said the legendary Britton deserved to be named WA's leading trainer despite the ban.



“I think she won it fair and square, I don't think it should be taken off her,” Iwanyk said. “She had two positive swabs but that doesn't paint the picture of her full year, her dogs would have been swabbed hundreds of time. I am fully behind her, I think she deserved to win it.”


RWWA Chief Carlos Martins told Australian Racing Greyhound on Tuesday that Britton has lodged an appeal against her disqualification with a date for the hearing yet to be decided.

Until then, she will remain unable to train greyhounds with all prohibitions placed upon her applicable.

Britton failed to return Australian Racing Greyhound's calls, but previously said she does not want to comment on her disqualification until all avenues of appeal had been exhausted.

When contacted just after her disqualification was announced, Britton mentioned she was thankful for the support shown by her family and friends during this arduous period.

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Dale Hogan
Dale Hogan
9 years ago

While I won’t say anything bad about Linda she’s wonderful lady caught by a really lacking in common sense situation I do think that if the race board is going to hand out a disqualification to that should make her or anyone mind you not just Linda ineligible for awards that’s just my opinion we all have them. It’s just a bad look for a disqualified person to receive awards boards a constantly talking about the industries image and brand etc well this makes the brand look quite unprofessional no other sport or code would allow this I mean you… Read more »

Dale Hogan
Dale Hogan
9 years ago

Actually in higher doses the Hormone can have performance enhancing affects maybe you should get a clue that’s why they have dosage standards it’s just that the standards set are very inaccurate is were trainers get caught out as Linda has and ppl not misusing appear to have according to the set standards…

Jennifer Board
Jennifer Board
9 years ago

Andrew pull ya head in ya jealous moron!!!

Michelle Romer
Michelle Romer
9 years ago

Great comment Mick

Michelle Romer
Michelle Romer
9 years ago

Mick Campo comment is spot on. This post should not of even got off the ground. This site should be used for the good of the industry not singling people out to have the opportunity to put harsh comments on social media. It shouldnt have been posted. WA stewards have made their decision this post isnt going to change it. Give this wonderful lady a break and leave her the hell alone!

John Edwards
John Edwards
9 years ago

If a jockey gets disqualified And they are ahead in the premiership they still win the premiership if they are ahead at the end of the season . So the winner is l Britton . So to the small minded muckrakers who try to make this an issue , spit the sour grapes out of your big mouth. And shut it .and yes linda is a great trainer and those who know how hard linda, Chris and her staff work know that training winners is not luck or drugs its hard work and dedication to an animal they love

Des Lees
Des Lees
9 years ago

Linda and her team earned the award regardless

Andy Whoami
Andy Whoami
9 years ago

Fuck you Nathan! Take your tiny dick else where your bullshit comments don’t belong here!

Wayne Watmore
Wayne Watmore
9 years ago

thats crap shouldnt happen may have been one incedent but that may be the only one she was caught for out of how many

Tom Welsh
Tom Welsh
9 years ago

I think the registered participants of greyhound racing should tread very carefully here. Don’t let the trolls suck you into saying things that may get you whacked by your racing board.

Dallas Massina
Dallas Massina
9 years ago

Mark Moroney Different standards!!!!!

AaronC_GPLNZ
9 years ago

Classic. this industry is as straight as a dogs hind leg.

AaronC_GPLNZ
9 years ago

Highly intellectual argument there..

AaronC_GPLNZ
9 years ago

Worked hard at trying to cheat..

AaronC_GPLNZ
9 years ago

Nice to see you’re all for promoting dog racing as family friendly Chris lol

AaronC_GPLNZ
9 years ago

Banned in NZ, causes a lot of downstream grief for bitches physically. Not needed, used by only the greedy who wont spell their bitches so they can have a heat cycle. Lame argument.

AaronC_GPLNZ
9 years ago

Only greedy trainers who wont give their dogs a rest use these to suppress heat cycles. 

AaronC_GPLNZ
9 years ago

lol thanks for the giggle

AaronC_GPLNZ
9 years ago

Raising the intelligence stakes of racing enthusiasts are we?

AaronC_GPLNZ
9 years ago

Yea heaven forbid the public see the lack of core integrity on dog racing.

Kathleen Irving
Kathleen Irving
9 years ago

Well said John, I totally agree with you.

Dale Hogan
Dale Hogan
9 years ago

Actually your slightly wrong there if a jockey is “suspended” ie for bad riding or over used the whip etc he can still win BUT if a jockey is “disqualified” ie warned off for any period of time he loses all rights to it… It’s all a stupid grey area exactly like wot Linda is caught in there is no consistency and an innocent mistake causes this…

Shane Pettersson
Shane Pettersson
9 years ago

Congrats linda u deserve it and tge whole team behind the seens

Darren Rowe
Darren Rowe
9 years ago

Whether you agree or disagree just let linda get on with her life and stop talking about it

Robert Hall
Robert Hall
9 years ago

No what joke a drug cheat

kctipton
kctipton
9 years ago

Does trainer of the year simply go to the least shady trainer or the one who comes up with the most brazen lies to explain the shadiness?

DonnaBallinger
DonnaBallinger
9 years ago

how can you say she deserves it when she has been suspended for drugging her dogs  FFS

Linda Kilpatrick
Linda Kilpatrick
9 years ago

Omg if she deserves it then let her have it. Stop ruining what we the punters enjoy the sport of it all. I’m sure other shit goes on that is not caught out. It sounds as if people are jelous or envious of this lady.

Cozzy Killintime Collins
Cozzy Killintime Collins
9 years ago

I agree with you Linda

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

Reading through some these comments its very disappointing to see the unnecessary use of appalling language. There are thousands of words in the English language to express your feelings and I suggest you use your intelligence (if you have some) and use them. Try using the English Oxford Dictionary or a Thesaurus to find alternative words. 

Russell Guelfi
Russell Guelfi
9 years ago

Congrats Linda you deserve it , pleasure to of met u lovely lady

Plutha
Plutha
9 years ago

Aren’t hormone drugs to control females seasons banned by the racing industry?? So perhaps this is one reason why the trainer Linda Brittain has been disqualified or banned from training.

Why are these drugs used anyway? Sterilising dogs can still run fast!!

Plutha
Plutha
9 years ago

Indeed a wonderful industry that destroys thousands of healthy dogs each year because they are beyond their usefulness, I you must be so proud of how wasteful this wonderful industry is with living defenceless animals.

Plutha
Plutha
9 years ago

Excactly, very professional criminals.

john boy 100
john boy 100
9 years ago

if linda deserves her award why not lance armstrong or even ben johnstone. seems to me the greyhound industry all know what is really going on. you have all dug your own grave.