Andrew Fortunes Suspension lifted

INQUIRY – STABLE EMPLOYEE MR ANDREW C FORTUNE

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on 31 August and 1 September 2022, Stable Employee Mr Andrew Fortune was charged with the following contraventions of the Rules of the NHA:-

1. Rule 72.1.42 – in that he conducted himself in an improper, disrespectful, or abusive manner during a hearing held at the Head Office of the NHA on 27 May 2020.

The Inquiry Board was informed that Mr Fortune elected to sign an Admission of Guilt before the commencement of the Inquiry, and he was fined the sum of R15 000.


2. Rule 72.1.25 – in that he conducted himself in an improper manner at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday, 3 July 2021 by swearing at and assaulting a member of the South African Police Services.

Mr Fortune pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty of the charge.

The Inquiry Board, after hearing the evidence, ruled that Mr Fortune be warned off from all activity in the horse racing industry, including, but not limited to being employed therein. This sanction is wholly suspended for a period of five years on condition that Mr Fortune is not found guilty of any offence involving a breach of Rule 72.1.25 during that period. In addition, a fine of R20 000 was imposed.

The Inquiry Board considered a suspended penalty from a separate Inquiry that was finalised on 11 January 2021, where Mr Fortune was found guilty of a contravention of Rule 72.1.25 after an assault on Jockey Gavin Lerena at Turffontein Racecourse on 24 October 2020. He was fined R20 000, R10 000 of which was suspended for a period of 24 months on condition that he was not found guilty of a similar offence during the period. The suspended portion of this penalty (R10 000) is activated and is payable, in addition to the penalty imposed of a R20 000 fine in charge two.


3. Mr Fortune was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.18, as read with Rule 71.3, in that he attempted to intimidate Mr Mbulelo Maliti, a licensed official of the NHA.

Mr Fortune pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty of the charge.

In this instance, the Inquiry Board ruled that Mr Fortune be warned off from all activity in the horse racing industry, including, but not limited to being employed therein. This sanction is wholly suspended for a period of five years on condition that Mr Fortune is not found guilty of any offence involving a breach of Rule 72.1.18 during that period. In addition, a fine of R20 000 was imposed.


Mr Fortune was given the Right of Appeal against the findings and penalties pertaining to 2 and 3 above.

The interim suspension imposed on Mr Fortune by the Chief Executive and Racing Control Executive in terms of the provisions of Rule 91.2 has been lifted with immediate effect.

Sjoe, so many transgressions.

I'm confused by the legalese .....

As per Point 1, for contravening Rule 72.1.42, he pleaded Guilty and paid an Admission of Guilt - so no 'suspension' involved here

As per Points 2 and 3, for contravening Rule 72.1.25 and Rule 72.1.18, he was found Guilty, but the Sanction was suspended for 5 years

So as I understand it, he paid R15,000 (for contravening Rule 72.1.42 as per Point 1), plus R40,000 (R20,000 each for contravening Rules 72.1.25 and 72.1.18) - totaling R55,000

He was 'warned off' - but this sanction was suspended for a period of 5 years (as per Points 2 and 3) - so does this now mean that should he transgress again, he will not be 'warned off' ? If so, why has the suspension been lifted ?

maybe i titles the thread wrong i meant track suspension

Bob Brogan wrote:

maybe i titles the thread wrong i meant track suspension

So basically he is allowed back on track and has a right of appeal against the last 2 transgressions.

Amazing how after all those transgressions he only has R55k to pay but I got R30K for saying “s@#t” in a meeting attended by 20 people in a closed room..
Moodley and Hyde need to go .
Look where the game is going because of these idi… running it

Bob you must have missed the part regarding Fortunes allegations that sugar was on the take and was bribed to "adjust" his riding weight? I have no doubt that the Jockey Club investigated this fully and that sugar will be looking for alternate employment because of this. Failure to have done anything in this regard would mean that graft by employees is acceptable to the Jockey Club and we all know they walk on water and have never made an error in anything racing related.

Let us know when you get it please.