GWIC bans Matthew Baldwin for two years over banned substance
The Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) of New South Wales has handed a two-year disqualification to trainer Mr Matthew Baldwin after he was found of guilty of serious breaches of the Greyhound Racing Rules.
The Commission commenced an investigation following analysis of a post-race urine sample taken from I’m Better, a greyhound trained by Mr Baldwin, at the Richmond meeting on January 23, 2024.
The investigation related to the confirmed presence of permanently banned prohibited substances in the greyhound. Mr Baldwin was subsequently found to be in possession of permanently banned prohibited substances.
As GWIC Chief Commissioner Alby Taylor explained, these serious violations of the Greyhound Racing Rules will not be tolerated.
“The use of permanently banned drugs in greyhound racing is completely unacceptable. They have a serious welfare impact on greyhounds which makes their use reprehensible,” Mr Taylor said.
“The Commission condemns the actions of any participant found to be in breach of animal welfare standards. Protecting and promoting the welfare of greyhounds underpins everything the Commission does.”
After finding Mr Baldwin guilty of three breaches of the Greyhound Racing Rules, a disqualification was imposed for a period of two years.
“This disqualification demonstrates our commitment to supporting a competitive, responsible, safe and sustainable greyhound racing industry, with the highest standards of animal welfare,” Mr Taylor said.
“My message to those that want to use these drugs is that it is only a matter of time before you are caught and excluded from the sport.”