Aaron Purcell to take over Maher stable

Warrnambool-based Aaron Purcell is ready to take over the staff and horses of suspended trainer Ciaron Maher.

Racing Victoria stewards have given an in-principle agreement for Purcell to take over from Maher on Monday.

Maher was on Monday suspended for six months and fined $75,000 by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board over the ownership bona fides of five horses, including Group One winning mare Azkadellia, that were owned by convicted conman Peter Foster.

The horses were raced in the name of Ben Connolly, Maher’s former racing manager.

RV chief steward Terry Bailey said there was a deed of agreement still to be signed but an in-principle agreement was in place.

“The main thing we wanted to be satisfied with was Mr Purcell was responsible for the employment of the staff and that he’d be spending the majority of his time at Caulfield,” Bailey said.

“He’s given that undertaking.

“There’s a deed of agreement the parties need to sign which is with our legal team at the moment.

“The contents of that are no different to what we’ve had a verbal agreement on, so it’s just a matter of getting signatures before Monday.”

Purcell will continue with his Warrnambool base while spending the majority of his time at Caulfield until Maher returns to training next April.