Hokkaido Stable Busted For Illegal Foreigners

[Mulboyne]

[floatl][/floatl]Daily Sports (Japanese) reports that a racehorse breeder and trainer in Hokkaido has been employing foreign stablehands illegally. The stable, Otsuka Farm, is perhaps best known for producing Emperor's Cup winner Hishi Miracle (left). Otsuka Farm apparently found themselves seriously shorthanded and advertised on the internet for help. Two nineteen year old Australians responded to the ads, arrived in Japan in March and had been working at the stable although they only had short term tourist visas. Police have detained the two and the owner, Taro Otsuka also faces charges.

[Mulboyne]

This report in the Hokkaido Shimbun (Japanese) says that two other employees at the stable, including the New Zealand trainer, have also been detained on suspicion of arranging the illegal employment of the two Australians. It appears that the situation came to light after the two youths got into a fight and were picked up by police earlier this month.

[Greji]

This report in the Hokkaido Shimbun (Japanese) says that two other employees at the stable, including the New Zealand trainer, have also been detained on suspicion of arranging the illegal employment of the two Australians. It appears that the situation came to light after the two youths got into a fight and were picked up by police earlier this month.

Also, they have a little more scrutiny in this area, since it came to light that David Hicks had beeen an exercise rider at several breeding farms in the Hokkaido area.