Make an erse of it so blame the Jockeys!

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held at its offices at Turffontein on Friday, 3 September 2010 before Mr RJ Bloomberg (Chairman), Jockeys Stephen Swanepoel, Marco van Rensburg, Andrew Fortune, Marthinus Mienie, Gunter Wrogemann and Fanie Chambers, and Jockeys Sherman Brown, Francois Naude and Felix Coetzee, in abstentia, and Apprentice Nevresh Juglall, duly assisted by the Gauteng Academy Riding Master, Mr Gary Waterston, were charged with a contravention of Rules 61.5.16 and 61.6.3.2 in that on Thursday, 26 August 2010 at the Vaal Racecourse and prior to the running of Race 4 they inadvertently loaded and jumped from the incorrect barrier draw positions.

Rule 61.5.16 states inter alia that "No rider shall take up a position at the start of a race other than that allotted" or "take any undue advantage at the start".

Rule 61.6.3.2 states inter alia that "Riders shall ride their horses into their correct stalls".

Jockeys Swanepoel, van Rensburg, Fortune, Mienie, Wrogemann and Chambers all pleaded not guilty to the charge, but were found guilty by the Board. A plea of not guilty was entered on behalf of Jockeys Brown, Naude and Coetzee, but they were found guilty by the Board. Apprentice Juglall pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea to that of guilty, which was accepted by the Board.

In considering an appropriate penalty, the Inquiry Board was mindful of the fact that this was an isolated incident and highly unlikely to be repeated and that the riders concerned were embarrassed and remorseful as to what had transpired.

However, the Board felt that cognisance had to be taken of the nature and magnitude of the offence in question, in particular the impact on the racing and betting public, the owners and trainers of the horses in question, The National Horseracing Authority and its colour holders, and the general damage to the image of the industry both locally and abroad.

Further hereto any penalty imposed had to ensure future due diligence and vigilance by the riders in a professional sport.

Accordingly the following penalty was implemented: a fine of R10,000,00 of which R8,000,00 is suspended for a period of two years.

Jockeys Swanepoel, van Rensburg, Fortune, Mienie, Wrogemann, Chambers, Brown, Naude and Coetzee have the right of appeal against both the finding and the penalty imposed.

Apprentice Juglall has the right of appeal against the penalty imposed.

A separate Inquiry will be held on Wednesday, 8 September 2010, in terms the Disciplinary Code of The National Horseracing Authority in the actions of the Starter in regard to this incident.

I am sure no one has forgotton, but just in case.

www.africanbettingclan.com/forum/phorum-...15/read.php?3,145847

Forgot to tell the jockeys that the stalls are no numbered.....no numbers at the back of the stalls?.....only in the front?

I am led to believe that it as " offence" for a jockey to " chirp " or question the starter behind the pens. He apparently rules the roost there. I can see why. If every top jock said to the starter, don't load me now, load me last & this was echoed by 12 different jocks at the same time - there would be absolute chaos behind the pens. So the rule is " mum's the word " & I believe a fine is payable should an offence be committed.

I am certain that most jocks behind the pens would have known about the mistake, but " had to keep quite "
PERHAPS THEY THOUGHT IT TIME TO " DROP THE STARTER IN THE SH!T, & get one back on him.
A lot has been said about the starting of races since Soss left, after about 30 years at the helm.

On top of it the starter ALONE can not be held responsible - who put the numbers behind the stalls ? who was checking him ? IS THERE NOT A STIPE BEHIND THE STALLS ? I'M BLOODY SURE THERE IS.
Does he not take a look to see everthing seems in order ? I've had a stipe in the ring pull my trainer aside to say " where is the horse's tongue tie " Yet this debacle goes unnoticed.

To fine the jockeys I believe is a disgrace........... A whole lot of people were responsible for this debacle...... could the caller of the race not say on AIR, this horse has been loaded 1 instead of 12 ? It should have been avoided.. A 5 min. delay would have solved everything.

I feel sorry for the owner, trainer & poor old Swanepoel who does not have a LOT of winners & cherishes everyone he gets.

THe jockeys deserved the fine, CAN'T any of them open there farkin mouths?? and I hope the starter gets a bigger wack.... They all cost me MONEY!!!

I hear Andrew Fortune might be in trouble for not riding out his horse African Love in the 2nd race.

scotia Wrote:

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> I hear Andrew Fortune might be in trouble for not
> riding out his horse African Love in the 2nd race.

Witch Hunt again, Andrew was certainly trying imo.

I agree with the fines the jocks got - most of it suspended - they should have opened their mouths (especially the senior guys like Coetzee and Fortune); also I think there is a difference between telling the starter when you want to be loaded (you shut up and do as you are told) and going into the wrong box (Hey I thought I was drawn 10, what am I doing in the 1 box?). But ONLY the jocks - certainly not.

what job was the stype doing behind the stalls ? shouldn't the starter get " an unpaid holiday " as the jocks get when they are suspended ?

Yip Elvis, not sure what is going to the stipe, but the starter is not off the hook:

'A separate Inquiry will be held on Wednesday, 8 September 2010, in terms the Disciplinary Code of The National Horseracing Authority in the actions of the Starter in regard to this incident.'

i see a lot of people are talking out there pockets.the jocks did not deserve a fine it is the starters resposiblity to ensure all is correct otherwise why have a starter. i can garantee that the jocks did say something but they also have otherthings to worry about as well. so why dont the stipes ever get fined for there indiscretions are they above everything

If one takes a look at the rules as quoted at the start of this threat, I don't think that anyone can argue that the jocks are guilty (and I am not talking from my pocket here); the fine could be debatable and I guess there would be different opinions on whether it was suitable.

But I agree that the stipe on duty should not get off scot free (not sure what the rules are in terms of duties of stipendiary stewards - but surely someone has to take responsibility). Also let's see what comes out of the inquiry into the starters 'actions'.