4 Racing - NHA assurance

In response to the speech delivered by Mr. Greg Bortz, the Executive Chairman of Cape Racing, on September 1, 2023, at Kenilworth Racecourse, during which he mentioned the potential barring of certain stakeholders from participating in races at Kenilworth and Durbanville racecourses:
Executive management, senior leadership and stakeholders of 4Racing have received numerous enquiries regarding the veracity of Mr. Bortz's statement.
In light of the above, a meeting was convened between Mr. Charles Savage, Chairman of 4Racing, Mr. Patrick Duff, Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Gabriel Soma, Head of Racing Operations and Mr. Vee Moodley, the CEO of The National Horseracing Authority. This meeting followed a telephonic discussion between Mr. Moodley and 4Racing's CEO, Fundi Sithebe, to gain clarity on Mr. Bortz's comments.
Mr. Moodley affirmed that his stance on the matter had been conveyed to the 4Racing Executive team prior to the speech and remains unchanged:
"Any horses barred from entering any racing jurisdiction in the country cannot be excluded based on NHA rules, unless such action originates from the NHA itself."
Furthermore, the NHA has requested that operators enhance security measures in the pre-saddling enclosures. This initiative is currently in progress and is expected to be completed within the month.
4Racing remains wholeheartedly committed to the NHA and comprehends the significance of upholding the integrity and legitimacy of the sport. This commitment is exemplified by our continued substantial support for the regulator while refraining from interfering with its processes.

Charles Savage
Chairman, 4Racing

So this confirms that the operators are not above the law

Bob,

All this presser re-affirms is that 4Q was shaken by Bortz’s speech and needed therapy and trauma counselling from the NHA. This 4Q bunch are the slow kids in the class that are in desperate need of elementary education.

“Mr. Moodley affirmed that his stance on the matter had been conveyed to the 4Racing Executive team prior to the speech and remains unchanged”

Confirmation that this 4Q executive team has hearing, learning and communication challenges!

“Furthermore, the NHA has requested that operators enhance security measures in the pre-saddling enclosures. This initiative is currently in progress and is expected to be completed within the month.”

The question is ON WHAT DATE did the NHA request the enhanced security measures from all the operators? And what has been the impediments to 4Q to complete this within the coming month when Cape Racing has already completed this installation prior the Bortz’s speech. Seemingly, someone in or an entire executive team has been sleeping on the job.

“4Racing remains wholeheartedly committed to the NHA” …”exemplified by our continued substantial support for the regulator while refraining from interfering with its processes”

Was 4Q not the instigator together with SANTA in their failed attempt to remove the NHA board of directors not so long ago. Evidently, the klap they got from Susan Rowett caused some memory loss.

History has revealed that 4Q can only work with entities that they can manipulate and control (RA, RoA, Kenilworth Racing pre-Bortz). NHA, Gold Cirlce, HWB and Cape Racing since Bortz takeover have and remain persona no grata in 4Q HQ.

Bob, the bottom line is that nothing stops an operator from having a set of its own rules, as an operator, that discriminates against trainers or jockeys (in-province or out of province). Watch this space develop. Needless to say that it could be very difficult to raid the Cape from KZN, Gauteng or Free State from a trailer when no boxes are available.

"Bob, the bottom line is that nothing stops an operator from having a set of its own rules, as an operator, that discriminates against trainers or jockeys (in-province or out of province). Watch this space develop. Needless to say that it could be very difficult to raid the Cape from KZN, Gauteng or Free State from a trailer when no boxes are available."

mmmm that is not entirely true. It might appear that way but in reality it can never happen.

A simple thing like qualification for The July. The winner of the Derby in JHB qualifies for the July are we saying that now because its JHB horse it won't be allowed in Durban? I can see that being attempted but in all honesty that is going to require a full re working the whole racing programme and structure. You might think that is something that can be created but it certainly can't be in 1 or 2 years.....

easy wrote:

"Bob, the bottom line is that nothing stops an operator from having a set of its own rules, as an operator, that discriminates against trainers or jockeys (in-province or out of province). Watch this space develop. Needless to say that it could be very difficult to raid the Cape from KZN, Gauteng or Free State from a trailer when no boxes are available."

mmmm that is not entirely true. It might appear that way but in reality it can never happen.

A simple thing like qualification for The July. The winner of the Derby in JHB qualifies for the July are we saying that now because its JHB horse it won't be allowed in Durban? I can see that being attempted but in all honesty that is going to require a full re working the whole racing programme and structure. You might think that is something that can be created but it certainly can't be in 1 or 2 years.....

Fingers said it beautifully “ignorance can be cured but not stupidity”

Rational thinking and logic eludes you more than you think. On the other hand, you have a gift for thinking up far fetched and ridiculous kak.

In South Africa, Operators currently have the ability and latitude to implement their own rules and conditions for accepting entries for a race. The NHA has limited to no say in this. Do u recall an operator only allowing one horse from a stable for a given race?

“ are we saying”. NO, nobody in SA is saying that. JUST YOU

Bob

In all my years in business, I have never seen a weaker, and more pointless press release than that put out by Charles Savage and 4Racing today. It is another own-goal scored, and in my view reflects a complete lack of direction, understanding, and original thought.

It doesn't warrant a response, save to point out to Charles my own post made some 24 hours BEFORE the press release, which stated (COPY / PASTED BELOW):

There are zero restrictions on any trainers from racing on our race tracks. But I most certainly intend to impose whatever racing operator conditions I legally can that ensures the integrity of our sport. No changes or conditions have been imposed as of yet, but I am looking at all available legal options to do our bit to assist in cleaning up the sport. I would never do anything in contravention of the NHA rules.


Bottom line, Bob, is that a racing operator is free to impose its own rules at its own facilities, just as 4Racing, Gold Circle, and ourselves do today. No racing operator can impose or enforce NHA rules - that is for the NHA to do only. But I am sure the public is relieved to be reassured by Charles Savage that the NHA remains in control of the NHA rules.

All the best

Greg

I think as an owner of horses in all Provinces for many decades the situation is fairly clear to me:

1. Horse racing in SA is bankrupt it has no way currently to self sustain based on revenues earned from the current model as it is
2. The model itself seems strange as it seems that different operators are allowed to run their businesses as they deem fit which may differ significantly from each other
3. There is a national body who reports to nobody called the NHA which governs racing nationally in many important aspects which may or may not suit each individual operator
4. Obviously this body cannot be duplicated throughout the country by each operator due to the heavy financial burden it creates which is absolutely necessary to allow racing to take place in SA
5. The term “doping” of horses right from the breeding through to to the preparation of a horse for its racing is well known, well documented and worldwide and horse racing has always been tainted with that practice and owners a punters trust that it is well policed and does not exist otherwise surely they would not spend their hard earned money in the sport
6. There are of course many other things which often affect the outcome of the horse or let’s call it an athlete, through how it is managed , prepared, drawn and ridden in a race which may be put down to luck or misjudgment etc
7. Upfront transparency is one of the biggest issues in horse racing which is often neglected, not only in SA
8. The handicapping and choice of races made available to trainers to assess which to choose also muddies the water as often trainers seem to have no acceptable race to choose for an individual athlete so they are entered in races which will not be at their optimum distance etc
I could go on and on as regards the complexities faced by people who are involved in the sport in which the athletes are unable to communicate directly

My question really comes down to “ is hoseracing in SA in a position to split into two sectors ie coastal and the rest or is it rather time to sit down and finally develop a model that is somewhat acceptable to all without bringing personal agendas ( which may not be the right word) to the model so at least the controls in place give the participants some trust as regards integrity of the sport of horse racing in SA”?

Perhaps a Sandringham Summit is required with Bortz and the Main Defender.

@oscar...too many egos to get past to have anything close to a meeting of minds for the betterment and long term sustainability of the industry...
I suspect there is a want to protect the little fiefdoms created by the investments made to keep the show going...can't argue with that...if you have skin in the game, you'll want to protect your investment...

I'm a simple punter...take the odd bet in between doing my work...a portion of the little I lose (I certainly don't win as I'm not privy to the information that enables some to consistently win) contributes to the pools that pay the stakes that partly keep the owners invested...I am like many thousands of others who are ignored / easily dispensable and eventually the sport will fail because our small individual contributions that collectively add to a lot are no more...

So, wishing better outcomes for all those dependent on the industry...

Any horses barred from entering any racing jurisdiction in the country cannot be excluded based on NHA rules, unless such action originates from the NHA itself."

Make this make sense. Very badly worded imo.
Why could they not say ‘no operator can bar any horse from participating in their jurisdiction ‘
Maybe it’s because they cannot say that. Maybe the operators can bar a participant based on their own rules?
All potholed roads inevitably lead to the NHA these days.
I hate cheaters but I also wouldn’t be comfortable if the NHA was my key witness in this matter.

Greg’s Reply to 4Racing on Insta

The more things chance, the more they stay the same. Remember racing clubs?? Tell me the operators today are any different?

As Oscar and so many before him said, the only way to save SA horse racing is to have everything and everybody in one house, under one umbrella.....

Good luck with that