Award for Journalist of the year.

A media award, the South African Journalist Of The Year, Horseracing, is to be introduced this season.

The Racing Association in conjunction with Brian Roux of BBR Bloodstock Shipping has devised an on-going contest aimed at the general SA media, including television, print and electronic media journalists that will culminate in an Equus Award and annual prize.

A panel will assess the work delivered by journalists during each racing season. Each month a cash prize of R1,500 and certificate will be presented to winners in each category and BBR Bloodstock Shipping has put up a grand prize of R30,000 and a trip for two to any destination in the world for the Equus Award winner.

Racing Association CEO Clyde Basel explained: ``In striving for excellent and consistent coverage of horseracing and to extend our reach to the general public we decided to widen the journalistic net, so this contest won’t be restricted to members of the racing media. We encourage freelancers and journalists in the mainstream media to enter the contest. We will welcome all published contributions.’’

Said Roux, a long-time supporter of the racing media via generous sponsorships: ``I read an article focusing on the racing media written by champion trainer Mike de Kock in a recent Parade magazine. I share his view that the SA racing media has been neglected over many decades and that incentives will greatly improve the output and quality of contributions as well as leading to greater exposure for horseracing in the mainstream, which is what industry sorely needs. I also believe the competition will spark a greater interest in racing journalism as a career, which offers sparkling rewards to those in the top league.’’

The RA has appointed retired racing journalist Francois Wolfaardt as chairman of a three-man selection panel that also includes Roux and trainer Geoff Woodruff. The panel will judge all contributions, paying attention to journalistic principles including accuracy, detail, presentation, ability to captivate and hold a readers’ attention. Other factors that come into play will be the importance and value of the work to the industry as a whole and its reach to the target market.