Barb Joseph, Matt Jones and Paul Jones fight for their reputation after horse death

Social media was sent into a frenzy on Wednesday night when Racing NSW revealed it had suspended the co-trainers for four months after I Am Rocky died earlier this year.

Joseph and her sons are determined to fight the punishment, despite pleading guilty, and are likely to appeal their ban.

Joseph has been one of Canberra's leading trainers for almost 50 years after becoming one of the first females to be granted a training licence in 1975. She was also the first woman to win the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap and was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for her contribution to thoroughbred racing in 2000.

She is widely respected for her work, but social media critics were unforgiving and called for a lifelong suspension and their licences revoked.

I Am Rocky displayed symptoms of colic and died on February 24. Colic refers to the symptoms that indicate abdominal or intestinal pain and is the leading cause of premature death in domestic horses.

Evidence at the inquiry said a post-mortem examination report provided a "gross diagnosis of right dorsal displacement of the large colon" and described "numerous superficial wounds and subcutaneous haemorrhages, consistent with trauma following an episode of uncontrolled colic pain."

The Joseph-Jones partnership was fined $200 for failing to lodge a stable return and suspended for six months for failing to provide veterinary treatment to the horse. The ban was reduced to four-months following a guilty plea and given it was their first breach of the related rule.

Paul Jones said the partnership would apply for a stay of proceedings and continue training obligations while they finalise an appeal and during subsequent hearings.

"[We'll] continue training and for business to carry on as usual until the appeal is heard," Jones said.

The Joseph-Jones partnership will be eligible to continue training until July 3. Stewards have given them seven days to organise the transfer of their horses to other trainers if their appeal is unsuccessful.

ACT Racing officials are still reluctant to comment on the specifics of the case due to the forthcoming appeal.

"Equine welfare is of paramount importance to the industry," Canberra Racing boss Andrew Clark said.

"All matters and concerns are investigated diligently and in accordance with the rules of racing."