CONTROVERSIAL Darling Downs racing identity, Neville Stewart, is being sued over the sudden death of outstanding sire, Lion Hunter, with the matter due for mention in the New South Wales Supreme Court today (Tuesday).

Members of a breeding syndicate that owned Lion Hunter, a stallion that was earning millions of dollars each season prior to his death in 2004, have accused Stewart, as stud manager at Oaklands, of alleged negligence.

Eight shareholders of Lion Hunter, including former top trainer and prominent owner Ken Turner, claim Stewart breached his duty of care after Lion Hunter was injured. They have also mounted a legal action against Sire Custodians, the managers of the investment scheme, for ‘failing to act in the best interests of the breeding syndicate’.

It has been reported in the Brisbane Courier-Mail that documents show the owners of the horse formed a breeding syndicate, with 42 units each worth $11,000 and that Stewart held 25 per cent of the ownership of the horse, which was a controlling interest, and that the son Danehill stood under his care at Oaklands Stud on the Darling Downs.