Michael Roberts Handicap (Listed)
NEWS STREAM has had his rating raised from 90 to 96 following his success in the Listed Michael Roberts Handicap over 1750m on the Scottsville inner course on Sunday 17 January. Some of this adjustment is due to the fact that NEWS STREAM was 3 pounds or 1.5 kgs under sufferance at the weights.
To All NHA Members
In accordance with the Constitution, my first year as Chairperson came to an end with the 139th Annual General Meeting, which took place on 13 January 2021. I am greatly honoured that the National Board have re-appointed me for a second year.
The AGM also marked the completion of the terms of office of Mr Ken Truter and Mr Robin Bruss. Mr Truter has kindly made himself available for re-appointment. Mr Bruss has served many years in turbulent times on the National Board and now feels it is time for other priorities. His encyclopaedical knowledge of racing operations has been invaluable and I thank him for his many contributions over the years.
London News Stakes (Grade 3)
RUNNING BRAVE remains unchanged on a mark of 119 after she captured the Grade 3 London News Stakes over 1800m on the standside track at Turffontein on Saturday 2 January. The handicappers were of the view that RUNNING BRAVE herself made for the best line horse when assessing this event, hence her unaltered rating.
The National Horseracing Authority confirms that it has given careful and urgent consideration to the contents of the President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address last night, which effectively placed South Africa under NEW adjusted Level 3 Lockdown effective today, 29 December 2020.
The National Horseracing Authority confirms that an Appeal was heard in Johannesburg on 2 December 2020.
Unbeaten KATAK has had his merit rating increased from 99 to 109 after he recorded a fourth win from as many appearances in the Grade 3 Abe Bloomberg Legal Eagle Stakes (formerly known as the Winter Classic) for three-year-olds over the Kenilworth winter course 1800m on Tuesday 7 July.
The Handicappers were of the view that 3rd placed SILVER HOST made for the most suitable line horse. Accordingly, his rating remains unaltered on 102, but runner-up SUPER SILVANO goes up from 102 to 105. In other increases, 4th placed BAYBERRY (who sported blinkers for the first time) goes up from 81 to 95, while 5th placed CAPTAIN FLINDERS was raised from 85 to 93.
The only drop was for CANE LIME ‘N SODA, who is down from 94 to 92.
Following the successful Asian Racing Conference (ARC) held in Cape Town in February 2020, The National Horseracing Authority wishes to draw your attention to the various Plenary Sessions that are available on the ARC 2020 website. This library includes speaker presentations and video recordings from the various sessions.
Please go to website http://www.arcsa2020.com and click on the Business Programme to select the Plenary Session you are interested in.
We trust that you will find these Sessions informative.
Dear NHA Member,
As you are aware the COVID-19 virus has had an unparalleled disastrous effect on the world. This led to our President Mr Cyril Ramaphosa declaring a State of Disaster, followed by the Lockdown period (27 March 2020 to 30 April 2020) in order to contain the spread of the virus and to try to flatten the growth curve in relation to further infections and fatalities.
The NHA is acutely aware of the devastating consequences of the suspension of racing. It affects all Stakeholders including our 6,000 plus members who own more than 10,000 horses in racing stables, pre-training yards and stud farms, as well as their 17,000 staff employed directly and thousands more indirectly. It threatens livelihoods and puts further strain on an industry already troubled by poor economic conditions.
As the Regulator of Horseracing, we do have significant responsibilities which we do not take lightly and we are taking stringent measures to protect and support our industry:
The NHA, Phumelela, Gold Circle, Kenilworth Racing, the Racing Association and The Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust, as a further preventative measure, discourages all air travel of industry participants entering racecourses and training establishments countrywide, subject to the 14 day isolation period being complied with. This is effective from Monday 23 March 2020.
We appeal to all persons involved in the racing industry, to act responsibly and with integrity as your conduct and commitment is paramount to the continuation of racing fixtures.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but the established high-risk element of airports and the severity of the CoronaVirus (COVID–19) necessitates such drastic measures.
