From the Chief Executive
THE JOURNEY TO EXCELLENCE
In light of the recent labour issues, The NHA is currently working with industry players to develop a strategy to include and engage the grooms more effectively in the industry.The recent protests, which were in some cases near violent and occurred in all of the major racing jurisdictions during the month of June, have brought the imbalances in the industry to the fore.
It is common knowledge that the Grooms entail the largest employed grouping within the industry, and therefore they need to be acknowledged in a meaningful manner. They need to have an officially recognised status, both within the NHA and in the industry in general.We would like to look at establishing a tiered program of registrations, where registered candidates can work towards improving their education, knowledge and experience within the industry.
It is often in critical times like these that we are driven to realise that this is the only way forward, as there is a clear moral duty, as well as commercial value (for new growth within the industry) in ensuring that all role players and stakeholders have an opportunity to better themselves, as well as feeling recognised and included.
The Grooms are the only stakeholders who are currently not registered with the NHA, but we intend to change that as soon as possible. It is imperative that an official national representative body is formed so that all future discussions and negotiations are dealt with as soon as issues arise.
A unified association will mean that all regional member bodies are represented equally, and can be officially recognised when meetings are held to discuss matters affecting the sector.
We therefore encourage all stakeholders together to find a sustainable and acceptable solution. Department of Labour and the Department of Trade and Industry met on 13 June 2018, to discuss matters affecting workers within our industry.
The Portfolio Committee have noted that the Grooms do not belong to any organised structure that can defend their rights as workers, or as stakeholders within the industry.
It is therefore imperative that the NHA, together with the Trainers and other stakeholders, assist in any way possible.
NHA LABORATORY
WARNING ON HORSERACING PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES WHICH ARE CONTAINED IN READILY AVAILABLE PREPARATIONS
A very large proportion of the substances which are prohibited in horseracing are those substances that reduce the pain of injury and associated inflammation. Responsible and controlled treatment with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic substances play an important role in the correct recovery procedure. From a welfare perspective, the use of such substances as a masking agent is considered to be cruel as they may well aggravate an underlying injury.
Humans also experience such pain with injuries such as cuts, abrasions, bumps, sprains and strains. Since humans are in a position to self-medicate using substances responsibly, there is a significant need for such substances to be available in preparations that are accessible in shop fronts and that are affordable.
Problems arise inadvertently when such preparations, available without the requirements of medical consultation and prescription, enter the stable yard. The ease in obtaining these preparations does not suitably emphasize the fact that they are prohibited in racing. It is also unclear what constitutes a prohibited substance dose for a horse when using a preparation intended for humans and how this could result in a prohibited substance positive.
Within this document a warning is issued with regard to the use of such prohibited substances and preparations that are readily available. When these preparations are used in the horse they enter the bloodstream including those that are topically administered. This affects the horse, not only where it was administered, but also systemically (within other parts of the body). It is critical that the dose and elimination rate of the particular substance is carefully investigated and considered, with the required veterinary guidance and advice, in combination with a sufficient withdrawal safety
margin.
· Salicylic acid and salicylic acid (salicylate) derivatives:
These preparations typically contain either salicylic acid or acetylsalicylic acid (e.g.Aspirin), methyl salicylate (e.g. Sloan Deep Heat and Rigly’s Horse Liniment) or dimethylamine salicylate (e.g. Reparil gel). The withdrawal period of such substances is recommended to be at least 36 hours. If repeated doses or high doses are used then this period must be increased.
· Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO):
This is an oily substance and it is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. This substance however also forms part of some topical preparations, with the function to increase the absorption of other substances. The withdrawal period for DMSO prior to racing is at least 48 hours.
· Paracetamol:
This natural pharmaceutical is contained in some components of horse feed. As a result it is found in the specimens of most horses. Pharmaceutical preparations of paracetamol include a variety of pain (headache) and antipyretic (fever reducing) human medications. Paracetamol is not recommended for therapeutic use in horses. As a high dose is required for a desired effect in the horse, the administration of paracetamol may result in a highly elevated level of this substance, which would result in a positive finding.
· Arsenic:
This is an element naturally contained in the environment. It is contained in certain preparations, such as tonics and preparations with the claim of improving the coat, body condition and appetite of the horse. A high dose of arsenic is well understood to be detrimental and poisonous to the horse. An elevated level of arsenic is prosecuted as a prohibited substance.
· Devil’s Claw:
Preparations of this herbal product are known to be used as a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory in horses. Such preparations contain the active ingredient Harpagoside which is a prohibited substance in horseracing and other disciplines. The use of such herbal products in the racehorse requires a withdrawal period of at least 48 hours.
EASTERN CAPE
ANDAZI COMMUNITY TRUST RACING EVENT
The NHA were invited to attend the ANDAZI Community Trust Amateur Racing event, which was held on 23 June 2018 in Idutywa. Eastern Cape Stipendiary Steward, Mr Thulani Khanyile, along with Ms Notemba Binase and Ms Precious Pati, represented the NHA.
The Andazi Community Trust is an organisation aimed at the rural Mbhashe communities. The organisation is the brain child of 11 individuals who also hail from the Mbhashe and community have keen interests in the development of their rural community. The Trust is proudly named after a legendary local horse who has run and won various races in the Eastern Cape and has thus put the Mbhashe municipality area and its rural community on the map.
The Community Trust invited the NHA to give them advice and guidance on horse welfare and how to conduct these kinds of races. This was a good initiative that we as NHA should welcome because The NHA is able to follow the horses second careers after they retired from their professional racing career.
The NHA team arrived in Idutywa at around 09:45am, where they were welcomed by one of the organisers, Mr Andile Ludidi. The NHA assisted the Andazi Community by identifying their horses and implemented some measures in terms of starting the races. It was a great feeling to see TRANSLATOR the son of VAR, as well as CAPE FLYER which was trained by the late MR L J Erasmus (May his soul rest in peace).
The NHA realises that there is a lot that needs to be done to assist these communities, especially to make them understand the importance of the well-being of this great animal and ensuring the safety of their riders.
FAREWELL TO DR REYNDERS
The National Horseracing Authority would like to bid farewell to Dr Eugene Reynders who will be leaving The NHA to take a Veterinary position in Hong Kong. We would like to extend our formal appreciation to Dr Reynders for his hard work and dedicated to the NHA since August 2014.
As he embarks on this new chapter in his life, the NHA would like to wish him every success in his future endeavours.
CENTRAL PROVINCE STIPES VISIT GAUTENG JOCKEY ACADEMY
At the beginning of June a few of the Central Province Stipendiary Stewards visited the Gauteng Jockey Academy to give a talk to the apprentices. The Stipendiary Stewards spoke about the Rules and reviewed race films with the apprentices. They also advised them on how to conduct themselves at Inquiries and in the Stipendiary Stewards Boardroom on race days.
Mr Robert Moore, National Riding Master of the Gauteng Jockey Academy, thanked Mr Arnold Hyde and the Stipendiary Stewards for taking the time to address the Apprentices and advising them of what was expected of them. He added that the Apprentices benefitted greatly from the valuable information and that he hoped that these talks would continue, as it would assist in producing fine jockeys for the future.
HANDLERS TRAINING SESSION IN PE
On Saturday 30 June, a Handlers Training Session was held in Port Elizabeth with the acclaimed horse whisperer, Mr Malan Du Toit. The Handlers were taught how to give the horse and rider specialist treatment to the highest standards of horse welfare and rider safety.
The PE Handlers learnt the following:
• How to deal with fractious horses,
• How to resaddle horses at the start,
• How to attend to various situations involving unruly horses,
• How to work with problem or stubborn horses,
• How to notice certain tell tale signs that a horse may be displaying.
On behalf of the NHA Port Elizabeth Handlers, we would like to thank Mr Malan Du Toit for a great training session!
NHA JOINS TWITTER
The National Horseracing Authority has officially launched our NHA Twitter Account, which went live on Wednesday 4 July. Please follow us @NHASouthAfrica.
The National Horseracing Authority would like to wish all our Stakeholders born in July a
very Happy Birthday. Wishing you a birthday filled with sweet moments and wonderful memories to cherish always!