Serial fraudster Peter Foster has been recorded discussing links between himself, champion racehorse Azkadellia and prominent Victorian trainer Ciaron Maher, who was charged last week by Racing Victoria.
Maher and his racing manager Ben Connolly have been accused of concealing ownership of Azkadellia and three other horses on behalf of Foster, who is facing fraud charges in NSW arising from his failed online gambling business, Sports Trading Company.
It is understood the recording was recently provided to Racing Victoria's integrity unit, which could submit it as evidence in its case against Maher.
Foster, who cultivated an image as a dashing rogue who persuaded pop singer Samantha Fox and the Duchess of York, to spruik his Bai Lin tea, sounds more like a low-level thug during the recorded conversation with an associate.
"I've had a f---ing gutful. I've got $3 million worth of racehorses with this f---ing Ciaron and you know I can't even talk to him. It's f---ing outrageous. I've had a gutful."
He then threatens to confront Maher at the Magic Millions horse sales in January.
"I'm half-tempted to go to the Magic Millions and just walk up to him and say we need to talk."
He goes on to call the Caulfield Cup-winning trainer a "f---ing dog".
Last week, Maher was slugged with four charges, including improper and/or dishonourable action.
The stewards also allege that Maher did not take steps to notify stewards of his knowledge or suspicions involving the ownership of the horses involved.
It is alleged that Connolly also made misrepresentations and provided misleading and inaccurate information regarding horse ownership.
If found guilty, both men face disqualification from the sport.
The future of the horses is also clouded by uncertainty.
Police in Victoria and NSW could trigger a fire sale under proceeds-of-crime legislation, after it was alleged that Foster siphoned millions of dollars from Sports Trading Company to buy the horses
But lawyers representing about 340 investors who claim they were duped by Foster are also expected to make a claim on the horses in a bid to recoup some of the $29 million lost in the alleged scam.
In the event Azkadellia is found to have run under false ownership, it would be disqualified, with all prizemoney forfeited to the principal racing clubs in Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
Maher could also be compelled to return his 10 per cent share of the prizemoney, while the jockeys who rode Azkadellia to victory could be forced to hand back their 5 per cent stake of the winnings.
