Owner disqualified for 18 months after referencing Hells Angels in threatening texts

John Georgatsoulis, a previous shareholder in multi-millionaire sprinter Overpass, was found to have made threats of physical harm and death by a Racing NSW inquiry

top sprinter owned by the Darby Racing syndicate

A racehorse owner has been hit with an 18 month disqualification after Racing NSW ruled that he referenced the Hells Angels in a series of threatening texts after an investigation.

John Georgatsoulis previously owned a share in Overpass, a multi-millionaire sprinter owned by Darby Racing and trained in Sydney, Australia, by Bjorn Baker. Overpass is one of Australia’s top sprinters with 10 wins and earnings in excess of £6.4million.

In July, Georgatsoulis was removed from the ownership of Overpass and provided with payment for his owners share. On October 5, 13 days before Overpass was due to run in the Everest, in which he finished fourth, Georgatsoulis sent a series of text messages to Scott Darby, the syndicate’s managing director.

According to Racing NSW, these contained “improper, threatening, and insulting language. The messages included threats of physical harm and death, as well as references to the Hells Angels OMCG.

“Mr Georgatsoulis also threatened to attend the Everest and cause harm to Mr Darby and Mr Baker.”

The regulator launched an investigation, obtained the messages and charged Georgatsoulis with conduct detrimental to the interests of racing in that he engaged in improper conduct by directing aggressive, threatening and improper language via text message towards Darby.

Georgatsoulis failed to attend the first hearing and was issued with a further charge and directed to appear before an inquiry on November 3. When he again failed to appear, it went ahead in his absence.

He was disqualified for 18 months, a period which will apply from November 10 until May 10, 2027.

Source: Mirror