The Board of Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) has resolved to remove Graeme Bate from the Hall of Fame following his disqualification for deliberately administering a prohibited substance.

This decision was made after taking into account a range of factors including:

• The gravity of the charges;
• The significant number of Hysone tablets procured by Mr Bate, being up to:
•    – 6,000 Hysone 20mg tablets between about 11 August 2010 and 6 July 2013; and
•    – 7,200 Hysone 20mg tablets between about 7 May 2012 and 3 April 2013.
• Mr Bate’s history of breaching significant rules of greyhound racing; [1]
• False or misleading statements made to stewards;
• The criteria for membership of the Hall of Fame;
• The principles of specific and general deterrence;
• The findings of the Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board heard on 10 June 2014 and VCAT on 21 October 2014; and
• The need to maintain trust and public confidence in greyhound racing.

The Board was also mindful of the contribution made by Mr Bate to support the industry over many years.

GRV’s Chairman, Peter Caillard said:

“This Board has repeatedly stressed that it will not tolerate anyone using prohibited substances to gain an unfair advantage. More than ever before, the Board of GRV has committed resources to detect and prevent their use. This includes the introduction of out-of-competition testing and the freezing of samples, with testing of those samples to commence shortly. Allowing Mr Bate to remain in the Hall of Fame would be inconsistent with this commitment and the message should be loud and clear.”

Mr Bate’s Hall of Fame status will be revoked immediately.

[1] Finding of VCAT in Greyhound Racing Victoria Stewards v Graeme Bate, 21 October 2014 at paragraph 16.