NHA APPLIED TODAY FOR A LOCKDOWN EXEMPTION

NHA APPLIED TODAY FOR A LOCKDOWN EXEMPTION

The chief executive of the National Horseracing Authority (NHA), Vee Moodley, sent an application to government today on behalf of the horseracing industry for an exemption from specific lockdown regulations.

The application has already been acknowledged and forwarded to relevant officials for further consideration, assessment and feedback.

The aim of the document is to encourage government to allow the resumption of operations on May 1 2020 after considering the following principles which pertain to horseracing:

1) horseracing poses a negligible threat to public health.
2) It preserves jobs for the most vulnerable sectors of society
3) It can contribute to the resurrection of the SA economy in a safe and controlled environment
4) it can mitigate against a major animal welfare crisis facing the industry.

The NHA have done their own risk assessment and identified horseracing as a low risk activity as there is limited contact and, furthermore, it is of high economic value.

Moodley has also pointed out during his liaising with government that SA horseracing operated successfully behind closed doors before the national lockdown and is currently operating successfully within the training centres under lockdown conditions.

He also pointed out racing has been operating successfully under lockdown conditions in both Hong Kong and Australia for about three months..

Moodley has informed government that in order to protect the horseracing industry from total collapse they would have to look beyond lockdown.

He did this in the spirit of cooperation and to ensure the preservation of life, coupled with job protection.

He has pointed out the SA horseracing industry has 6000 members who own more than 20,000 horses spread around training centres and stud farms.

The industry has staff of 60,000 employed either directly or indirectly.

He made the important point that among these 60,000 are 5000 grooms and they have specialised skills, so it would be difficult for them to find employment in other sectors of the economy.

Moodley pointed out that all of Summerveld, Randjesfontein, Ashburton and other training centres around the country had followed government recommendations for the lockdown and had shown themselves to be very responsible.

He said, "We are hopeful of a positive response in order to safeguard the horseracing industry and to ensure its sustainability."

Moodley liaises constantly with government officials by both telephone and email so will be kept informed of progress in the matter.

The application for this exemption was a holistic one made on behalf of:

1) the NHA, who manage the general stud book and regulate horseracing, and fall under DAF (the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries).
2) the operators Gold Circle, Phumelela and Kenilworth Racing, who fall under the DTI (the department of trade and industry)
3) The TBA, the RA, the Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust and also grooms, trainers, jockeys, equine veterinarians and farriers.

If a positive assessment is made by the two relevant departments, the application will then be forwarded to the Coronavirus Command Council and from there it will go to the President.

Moodley hopes to have an official response before April 28 which is the day nominations and declarations will be done for for the May 1 racemeeting..

He pointed out that if racing is able to resume on May 1 no interprovincial travelling of either personnel or horses will be allowed. Travel will later be phased in according to government recommendations and regulations.

Moodley said, on another point, that the statistics for the Gold Cup meeting scheduled for August would count towards the new season and not this season.

by David Thiselton

...maybe this could be a good time to showcase the industry and run all those inspirational racing promotions ads on TT just in case these govt okes with DSTV go there to take a peek on what our industry is all about....this morning I turn it on and it has a split screen....the wheel and that other Atari like Milnerton sh!t virtual horse race....not really a great way to see things.....:whistle:

For me point 1 is questionable “horseracing poses a negligible threat to public health”.


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Hope it gets the go ahead

To me a bigger threat to SA than the virus, is the lockdown and the rules and regulations being put in place.

If we can just use a bit common sense, it would make such a difference.

So i dont think this message will ake trainers and riders feel comfortable..

"He pointed out that if racing is able to resume on May 1 no interprovincial travelling of either personnel or horses will be allowed"

So will racing take place at tracks like the "Free State" Vaal? Can Jocks and Trainers and staff who work at the Vaal on a Thursday then enter and take take rides at Turffontein on the Saturday?

Will the July be contested by KZN trained horses only?

johnnycomelately wrote: Will the July be contested by KZN trained horses only?

Well under the rules i would imagine , only the jocks and horses already in Durban will be able to compete, sure most of the horses are down already

johnnycomelately wrote: Will the July be contested by KZN trained horses only?

The majority of the Cape Town raiders are already at Summerveld.

My worry is that the Jhb contingent may not compete!!

I think we should just be grateful if any racing is allowed - accept that it will be a 'watered down' Champion Season and just get on with it - if any racing is allowed (and I'm not sure it will be looking at the COVID-19 stats and the Government's way of dealing with it) at least the horses competing will have the opportunity to earn some money - it is still racing, whether A runs against B and C, or X runs against Y and Z

Does not look good for racing! Level 4 whatever that is seems to still hold a very strict line.

Doesn`t look good sly, but not sure if they didn`t expect this? Sure they will still go ahead with their application to race behind closed doors?

The way he spoke about sporting events I would be shocked if we got the go ahead. Imagine 1 st may we race,can you imagine the outcry from public