INQUIRIES

INQUIRY – JOCKEY GAVIN LERENA

: Inquiries; 28 April 2021; Hits: 1600

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an inquiry held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 28 April 2021, Jockey Gavin Lerena was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7. The particulars being that, as the rider of MASTER AND MAN, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to ORUS APOLLO, shortly before the finish line in Race 5 at the Vaal Racecourse on 8 April 2021.

Jockey Lerena pleaded not guilty to the charge, but was found guilty as charged.

The Inquiry Board, in determining a suitable penalty, took into consideration everything that was said at the inquiry, the evidence put forward, as well as Jockey Lerena’s record and imposed a suspension from riding in races for a period of (7) seven days.

Jockey Lerena has the Right of Appeal against both the finding and the penalty imposed.

INQUIRY – JOCKEY SIMANGA KHUMALO

: Inquiries; 26 April 2021; Hits: 1268

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on Monday, 26 April 2021, Jockey Simanga Khumalo was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.3.

The particulars being that he failed to ride VARINA out to the end of the race and thereby prejudiced his chances of obtaining 4th position in Race 5 at Turffontein Racecourse on 3 April 2021.

Jockey Khumalo pleaded not guilty to the charge, but was found guilty as charged.

After considering the mitigating factors presented, a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of ten (10) days was imposed.

Jockey Khumalo has the Right of Appeal against the finding and the penalty imposed.

INQUIRY – JOCKEY JASON GATES

: Inquiries; 16 April 2021; Hits: 1775

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Durban on 14 April 2021, Jockey Jason Gates was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7.

The particulars being that as the rider of CLETO, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to TORBEN SPIRIT at the 1300m in Race 1, at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on 28 March 2021.

Jockey Gates pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Inquiry Board, after considering the evidence, found Jockey Gates guilty as charged and imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of seven days.

Jockey Gates has the Right of Appeal against the finding and the penalty imposed.

INQUIRY – TRAINER SAREL VON WILLINGH SMIT

: Inquiries; 15 April 2021; Hits: 1526

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held at the offices of the Vaal Racecourse on Wednesday, 14 April 2021, Trainer Sarel von Willingh Smit was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.25.

The particulars being that he conducted himself in an improper manner on racecourse property by using foul and abusive language towards a Jockey in the unsaddling enclosure, after the running of Race 7 at the Vaal Racecourse, on Tuesday, 16 March 2021.

Mr von Willingh Smit pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty of the charge.

The Inquiry Board, after considering the evidence led and taking into account the factors in mitigation, ruled that Mr von Willingh Smit be fined the sum of five thousand rand (R5 000).

Mr von Willingh Smit has the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed.

INQUIRY – APPRENTICE JOCKEY KYLE STRYDOM

: Inquiries; 01 April 2021; Hits: 1405

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Durban on 1 April 2021, Apprentice Jockey Kyle Strydom was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7. The particulars being that as the rider of BIG SKY COUNTRY, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to FLASHY KAITRINA leaving the 1100m in Race 8, at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on 14 March 2021.

Apprentice Jockey Strydom pleaded not guilty to the charge, but was found guilty as charged.

After considering all factors in mitigation, the Inquiry Board imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of seven days.

Apprentice Jockey Strydom has the Right of Appeal against the finding and the penalty imposed.

INQUIRY – JOCKEY G LERENA

: Inquiries; 24 March 2021; Hits: 1422

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an inquiry held in Johannesburg on 24 March 2021, Jockey Gavin Lerena was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7. The particulars being that as the rider of WAQAAS, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to another runner at approximately the 1000m in Race 5, run at Turffontein Racecourse on 11 February 2021.

Jockey Lerena pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Inquiry Board found Jockey Lerena guilty and in determining a suitable penalty, suspended him from riding in races for a period of (7) seven days.

Jockey Lerena has the Right of Appeal against the finding and penalty imposed.

INQUIRY – JOCKEY GRANT VAN NIEKERK

: Inquiries; 24 March 2021; Hits: 1448

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Cape Town on 24 March 2021, Jockey Grant van Niekerk was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7. The particulars being that as the rider of VOICE NOTES, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to another runner at the 800m in Race 7 at Durbanville Racecourse on 13 March 2021.

Jockey van Niekerk pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Inquiry Board accepted his plea and found Jockey van Niekerk guilty as charged. After considering all the evidence, the Inquiry Board imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of seven (7) days.

Jockey van Niekerk waived his Right of Appeal and was granted permission to take his suspension after his last carded ride from 30 March 2021 to 5 April 2021, both dates inclusive.

INQUIRY – JOCKEY NORBERT TAKAWIRA

: Inquiries; 24 March 2021; Hits: 1434

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an inquiry held in Harare on Monday, 22 March 2021, Jockey Norbert Takawira was charged with contraventions of Rules 62.2.7 and 62.2.1. The specifics of the charges being:

: Inquiries; 24 March 2021; Hits: 1349

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 24 March 2021, Trainer Mr Mahiakola was charged with a contravention of Rule 10.5.1. The particulars being that, he, as a licensed Trainer, failed to provide the requisite level of care, treatment and training to the horses under his control between the 23^rd to the 27^th of February 2021, by not allowing the person left in charge of his stable reasonable access to his feed room. This resulted in horses not being fed during this period and being kept in stables where the conditions were below the accepted standard required, in terms of adequate bedding, cleanliness and general animal welfare.

: Inquiries; 19 March 2021; Hits: 1371

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry which was finalised on 16 March 2021, Trainer Mr Emmanuel Kaknis was charged with a contravention of Rule 73.2.4. The particulars being that he was the trainer of the horse BIG JAY’S which broke down during Race 5 and was subsequently euthanised at Fairview Racecourse on 5 August 2019. Blood specimens which were taken from the horse disclosed upon analysis, the presence of Butorphanol and Flunixin, which are prohibited substances in terms of the Rules.