Radio star Ray Hadley's son Daniel is working as an investigator for Racing NSW, three years after he quit the police force in the wake of being charged with possessing cocaine.
Daniel Hadley's employment with Racing NSW's Investigations and Surveillance Unit comes as he rebuilds his life following a battle with post-traumatic stress disorder and a period of drug abuse.
A court heard in late 2018 that Daniel had been a repeat cocaine buyer who was targeted by police internal affairs and arrested as part of a covert surveillance operation.
The turnaround in Daniel's fortunes is exactly what his father had hoped for when he publicly offered his unconditional support as his son's police career fell apart.
Radio star Ray Hadley's son Daniel is working as an investigator for Racing NSW, three years after he quit the police force in the wake of being charged with possessing cocaine. Daniel Hadley is pictured with wife Cass
Daniel Hadley's employment with Racing NSW's Investigations and Surveillance Unit comes as he rebuilds his life following a battle with post-traumatic stress disorder and a period of drug abuse. He is pictured as a young police officer
The turnaround in Daniel's fortunes is exactly what his father had hoped for when he publicly offered his unconditional support as his son's police career fell apart. Ray Hadley is the top-rating host of 2GB's morning program and a rugby league commentator
Hadley senior has described the heartbreak of learning of his only son's mental health and drug problems after his widely-publicised arrest.
'We had no idea that he was battling mentally with these issues - and had been battling, according to his GP - for quite some time,' the top-rating 2GB presenter said.
Hadley junior's job with Racing NSW involves using his police skills to investigate allegations of corruption, consorting, cheating, horse doping and race fixing.
It also requires investigating persons suspected of assault, extortion, sexual harassment and the use of drugs and other banned substances, as well as breaches of the rules of racing.
Hadley's boss Peter V'landys, the chief executive of Racing NSW, set up the Investigations and Surveillance Unit in 2013 to further increase the integrity of thoroughbred racing.
Mr V'landys is also chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission where he often faces player scandals involving alcohol, drugs and violence.
Those dual roles make Mr V'landys among the most powerful and well-connected identities in the Australian sporting and media landscapes.
Hadley senior has described the heartbreak of learning of his only son's mental health and drug problems after his widely-publicised arrest. 'I had no idea my son, a respected police officer, would be involved in such a matter,' he said at a 2018 press conference (pictured)
Hadley senior is known as one of the country's most forthright broadcasters, often using his program to applaud or attack athletes and sports administrators.
He has owned shares in thoroughbreds and has strong links to major racing industry participants as well as being a long-time rugby league caller and commentator.
Hadley junior has spent his life around prominent figures in football and racing.
Mr V'landys was on leave and unavailable for comment about Hadley's hiring but referred inquiries to Marc Van Grestel, Racing NSW's general manager of integrity.
'Daniel went through the usual processes and he was appointed on his merits,' Mr Van Grestel said. 'As far as we were concerned there's no issues in terms of his probity.
Daniel Hadley's boss Peter V'landys, the chief executive of Racing NSW, set up the Investigations and Surveillance Unit in 2013 to maintain the integrity of thoroughbred racing. Mr V'landys is also chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission
All Racing NSW's five investigators across the state were former police officers and went through the same application and interview process as well as background checks.
'We find that they have the best attributes in terms of meeting the needs of our organisation in terms of investigations,' Mr Van Grestel said of hiring ex-police.
'Daniel was held in high esteem within the force and for those reasons his investigative skills were attractive to us and we were happy to employ him.
'It was an appointment on his credentials and on his merits.'
Hadley had become an integral part of Mr Van Grestel's his team and been involved in numerous investigations including steward's inquiries where he had given evidence.
'He's been a very good employee for us,' the chairman of stewards said.
Hadley has moved to Newcastle with his wife and two young children, having lived with his father in Sydney well into his late 20s, including through a brief first marriage.
Daniel is the eldest child from Ray Hadley's first marriage. He lived with his father in Sydney well into his late 20s before moving to Newcastle. Father and son are pictured when Daniel was a boy
Racing NSW's Investigations and Surveillance Unit general manager Jacqueline Johnstone announced Hadley's appointment in the body's latest annual report, published in September.
'In January 2021, the Unit introduced Investigator, Daniel Hadley,' Ms Johnstone wrote. 'Daniel brings a strong skillset in investigations and surveillance.
'Daniel is situated in the Hunter region of New South Wales to provide Provincial and Country participants with face-to-face access to Racing NSW's Investigations Unit.'
Daniel, who served as a policeman for six years and was previously a plumber, is his father's eldest child from the first of his three marriages.
The 31-year-old has had two children with second wife Cass since he walked free from court on the drug charge in December 2018.
Daniel Hadley has had two children with wife Cass since he walked free from court on a drug charge in December 2018. He met Cass Janes at the Sydney pub where he was arrested
