A group of racing stewards have been sacked after being found to have placed hundreds of bets on horse races when at work. Stewards are appointed to referee races staged on the racecourse and ensure all rules are abided to, so as a result are not allowed to place bets.

However an investigation in Tasmania established that five stewards, including the acting chief thoroughbred steward, had been putting on bets while employed by the island state’s Office of Racing Integrity.

READ MORE: Aidan O'Brien hails "very unusual" quality of Delacroix after Irish Champion Stakes win

READ MORE: Tom Marquand and Scandinavia dig deep to delight St Leger crowd at Doncaster races

More than 200 bets were placed over a two and a half year period with one of the steward’s placing 49 bets, staking more than £700 for a profit of £50, 24 of which on races they were officiating.

The same steward was also a member of the panels which held inquiries into a number of the races, according to ABC News. Another steward placed 162 bets, making a net loss of £120. Three other stewards under investigation did not place bets, two of whom resigned.

None were found to have committed criminal offences but integrity commissioner Sean Carroll, who led the investigation, said: “Wagering on races by stewards has the potential to compromise confidence in the integrity of racing, and that any form of wagering by stewards must be treated seriously.”

TasRacing confirmed it had dismissed three stewards, two fo betting related offences and one for serious misconduct.

“Based on independent investigations and subsequent report findings provided by the Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner, TasRacing has dismissed three stewards due to inappropriate wagering activity or other misconduct and breaches of policy and/or rules,” said a spokesperson.