Bill Vlahos, who made the successful bid of A$5 million
on a half-brother to Australian supermare Black Caviar known as “Jimmy” at Inglis Easter
in 2012 on behalf of his BC3 Thoroughbreds, has been charged by Australian racing
stewards for reasons relating to his failure to pay for the unnamed Redoute’s
Choice colt.
According to
racingandsports.com.au, Vlahos has been issued two charges, which cover “dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent,
improper or dishonorable action or practice in connection with racing.”
Investigations have revealed that Vlahos paid only a
fraction of the A$5 million owed, with more than A$1 million in funds intended for the colt going
into accounts he controlled, including the now defunct punting club The Edge.
It is
alleged that Vlahos deposited money from The Edge to his personal accounts and BC3. The Edge
collapsed in early December around the same time Vlahos resigned from BC3 and declared
bankruptcy, leaving its investors out millions of dollars.
The problems with Vlahos and BC3 Thoroughbreds surfaced
last year when Jimmy, the most expensive yearling purchased at auction in the
Southern Hemisphere, developed laminitis as a result of an adverse reaction to antibiotics
administered for a spider bite. Jimmy was euthanized December 29.
Vlahos’ charges will be heard by Victoria’s Racing
Appeals and Disciplinary Board on a date yet to be determined. Vlahos in the meantime has been
banned from attending race meetings or betting on Thoroughbred racing.
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