Top training duo to appeal ban

Grant and Alana Williams have each been disqualified from training for 12 months after their horse, Starry Heights, returned a positive test for ritalinic acid back in October of 2025.

The pair have taken out multiple Western Australian Metro Trainers Premierships, with the news of this ban a big blow for the industry.

Following the announcement, Grant released a statement claiming they will assess their options for an appeal.

“Alana and I are devastated by this decision,” he said.

“We believe the penalty imposed is grossly excessive and disproportionate and does not properly reflect the circumstances surrounding this matter.

“We have instructed our legal counsel to immediately take the necessary steps to appeal this decision.

“We will also be seeking a stay of the disqualification pending the determination of that appeal.”

READ THE FULL STATEMENT FROM RACING WA STEWARDS BELOW.

Thoroughbred stewards' inquiry - Training Partnership Grant and Alana Williams

(STARRY HEIGHTS)

Racing WA Stewards have concluded deliberations with respect to penalty in relation to the charge issued under AR 240(2) to which Mr Grant and Mrs Alana Williams had pleaded guilty.

The particulars of that charge being:

Particulars

That Mr and Mrs Williams, as the co-licensed trainers, brought and presented STARRY HEIGHTS for the purposes of participating in Race 8 at Kalgoorlie on 4 October 2025 where the Prohibited List A substance ritalinic acid was detected in a post-mortem sample taken after it had competed in and been eased out of the race.

After considering all matters, Racing WA Stewards determined to impose a disqualification of 12 months effective immediately.

In consideration of the time their licences were suspended prior to granting a stay of proceedings in relation to that suspension (19 January 2026 to 16 February 2026), the period of disqualification will be adjusted by 29 days and will expire on 29 August 2027.

When determining penalty, the Stewards considered, among other things:

• The plea of guilty to the charge and the personal considerations of Mr and Mrs Williams;

• The intent and purpose of the rule which is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of the racing industry;

• The nature of the substance detected, which is a metabolite of methylphenidate which is classified within the rules as a Prohibited List A substance, thereby having the status of being a permanently banned substance;

• That although submissions were made with respect to the detection of the substance being due to contamination, the Stewards were not satisfied that there was sufficient basis upon which to accept those submissions. Consequently, the inquiry was unable to establish an accepted explanation for the detection of the substance; and

• Previous penalties issued in other matters.

Ends