Bling banned 14 days and fined 54K

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa confirms that at an Inquiry held in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, 21 July 2024, Jockey S Khumalo was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M in Appendix E on the use of the crop).

The particulars being that he misused his crop by striking COUSIN CASEY more than twelve times (15) which was not warranted when considering the circumstances of the race, during Race 7, Hollywoodbets Durban July (Grade 1), at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on 06 July 2024. Jockey Khumalo pleaded guilty and was found guilty of the charge.

The Inquiry Board, after considering the mitigating factors presented, Mr Khumalo’s recent record pertaining to this type of contravention and the status of the race, ruled that he be suspended from riding in races for a period of fourteen (14) days, and a fine of R54 500 (fifty-four thousand and five hundred rand) was imposed.

Jockey Khumalo was given the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed. 

A bit heavy 😕 

This seems to be a common occurence with some of the more vigorous riders in south africa , i guess the only way to stop it happening is with heavy fines and suspensions 

The line "not warranted' puzzles me. This the biggest race on the annual calendar. The losing margin was less than half a length. His opposition was 3kgs lighter.

I am all for rules and application of them, but sometimes common sense needs to prevail.

I find jockey penalties far to severe and trainers far to light on the whole.

Sylvester wrote:

The line "not warranted' puzzles me. This the biggest race on the annual calendar. The losing margin was less than half a length. His opposition was 3kgs lighter.

I am all for rules and application of them, but sometimes common sense needs to prevail.

I find jockey penalties far to severe and trainers far to light on the whole.   




Absolutely... dammed if they do and dammed if they don't. 

Very harsh IMO. 

.....NHRA need the tom.... bigger income to try and balance increased operational expenses...... 

Pure optics.....I wonder if these  same stipes are at training centres to count how many times horses are struck during work..... Its like counting the amount of stab wounds on a murder victim and sentencing extra for each plunge over 12....either one strike hurts or no strikes hurt.... time to stop the political correctness....racing is cruel anyway you play it but either ban all crops or remove the restrictions.....and this crazy notion that the rand or graded value of a race determines the fine is hypocritical....so a slow horse in  MR 60 hit 15 times feels the pain less than a July contender 
?...no it's the perception of the general public that watch a big race that the NHA is trying to manipulate.....why not tell the public how long horses stand in boxes all day...how they love having a bit of steel put in their mouths...how they love a diet that can give them colic...how many of the males suffer gential mutilation....i accept racing for what it is but to try and pretend whip strokes are harming the animals after a certain metric is deceitful....