RESUMPTION OF RACING – UPDATE

PRESS RELEASE


RESUMPTION OF RACING – UPDATE


The NHA is pleased to announce that Horseracing in South Africa will resume on 1 June 2020 behind closed doors. The NHA have informed the Racing Operators accordingly on the requirements that needs to be complied with in order to stage these meetings.

The following rules shall be applicable on the effective start date.

The field sizes will be restricted to 12 runners per race with the exception of ALL Pattern races in which 14 runners will be allowed.

Jockeys will be restricted to ride in the region of their choice and cannot move in between provinces. They will be allowed to make ONE move prior to the commencement of racing.

The adjusted minimum riding weight in Handicap races shall remain at 54kg.

Horses moving between regions shall NOT be allowed unless a horse is moving to another province on a permanent basis as per the regulations of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

All Horse Transport Companies must have the necessary Permits to move horses between the training centres and race courses.

The last race must be run not later than 16h45.

Any persons with comorbidities shall not be able to attend.


Racing at Flamingo Park shall NOT take place in the month of June. The Racing Operators shall advise on the status of Kimberley racing in due course.

All of the above will be applicable for the month of June. Any relaxations shall be implemented in conjunction with the status of the Coronavirus pandemic, together with any positive changes to the Governments adjusted risk strategy from July onwards.

A further release on the Health & Safety, together with the surveillance protocols, as per our submission to Government shall follow.

The Racing Operators have commenced with pre administration work for the upcoming meetings.

The NHA is pleading to all participants to self-regulate regarding prevention and hygiene practices. The Covid-19 pandemic is in its infant stages in South Africa. The scientific and worldwide statistics, forecasts that this virus will be in existence for an extended period. Individual responsibility will go a long way in assisting the South African Horseracing Industry to continue racing, creating value and to the ultimate sustainability thereof.



Vee Moodley
Chief Executive

🙏😷👍

Thank you to ALL involved to make this happen.

Fantastic news for our beloved industry , plus the fact that many jobs are saved,plus, plus, plus....................

I hear Kimberley trainers to relocate to KZN and then from July KZN to host Monday meetings dedicated to current Kimberley trainers. For how long?


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Heard the same thing about a month ago Mac,from a mate that has horses in Kimberly

Mac wrote: I hear Kimberley trainers to relocate to KZN and then from July KZN to host Monday meetings dedicated to current Kimberley trainers. For how long?


Brilliant move. Ziets will be tipping us winner after winner now.

COVID-19 – PROTOCOLS FOR RACING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS TRAINING CENTRES
• All Staff are to wear face masks and sanitise hands at all times.
• All Staff on the provided horse transport to Races are to be temperature tested prior
to leaving the training Centre.
• A maximum of one attendant to be allocated per horse.
• All horse fittings (e.g. HEAD COLLAR AND LEAD) to be sanitised prior to leaving the Training Centre.
• Prior to and upon completion of each journey, the vehicle and horse float/truck should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to minimise any risk of future spread of the virus on future journeys.
• As far as possible, Stable Staff to travel in isolation and ensure social distancing.
ENTRANCE TO RACE COURSE
• Only ESSENTIAL STAFF MEMBERS (see below) will be permitted entrance through the SINGLE ENTRANCE ON THE RACE COURSE.
1. Licensed Jockeys/Apprentices engaged to ride at the race meeting
2. Licensed Trainers with engaged runners
3. Licensed Assistant Trainers/Stable Employees (recommended one per stable)
4. Grooms (one per horse)
5. Official Photographers/Technical Staff
6. Racing Operator Staff
7. Licensed Officials
8. A maximum of two Racing Journalists at the sole discretion of the Racing Operator.
• All entrants to the Race course to be temperature tested and hand sanitised before being permitted entry. Random temperature testing will also be conducted throughout the day.
• Any person with an underlying health condition (a co-morbidity linked to the Covid-19 virus) shall not be permitted to gain entrance to the race course.
1

COVID-19 – NHA PROTOCOLS FOR RACING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS – 28.05.2020
• All entrants are to wear face masks and practice social distancing.
• Persons recording a temperature reading of 38 degrees or above, will be denied entry.
• Any person that records a temperature reading of 38 degrees or above, will be required to proceed to the medical isolation centre and will be examined by the on- course Medical Officer.
• A list of Staff members/support personnel should be kept by Security that will be verified before entrance is permitted. A record of all persons that enter the race course should be maintained.
RACE COURSE
• Signage outlining hygiene and social distancing measures should be displayed at all race courses.
• Upon arrival, all Staff members should proceed to their work stations and maintain safe social distancing of at least 1.5 metres, while wearing a face mask and regularly wash and sanitise their hands.
• Trainers/Assistant Trainers should proceed to their station and maintain safe social distancing of at least 1.5 metres while wearing a face mask and regularly wash and sanitise hands.
• When on course it is essential that participants do not gather or congregate in any areas, e.g. gathering around a TV to watch a race.
• A recommended maximum of two persons should be in a horse stall while saddling and tacking up. The Rider should assist with saddling wherever possible.
• Frequent hand sanitisation should be practiced by the person that assists a rider to mount his horse.
• Persons to ensure the 1.5 metre social distance between them and other participants.
• Official Handler bibs will not be used.
• Trainers to ensure that their Staff members are supplied with clothing which needs to be thoroughly laundered after every race meeting.
• Participants are encouraged to bring their own pre-packed food and beverages which are not to be shared.
• All participants should be equipped with face masks and be well spread out at all times.
• Frequent washing and sanitising of hands should be practiced.
• The same set of silks will not be permitted to be used more than once at the same race meeting. All silks to be thoroughly washed after every use.
2

COVID-19 – NHA PROTOCOLS FOR RACING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS – 28.05.2020
• All Officials are to practice the 1.5 metre social distance guideline and to wear face masks.
• Hand sanitiser is to be freely available at various points on the race course property.
• Tellytrack Presenters to practice social distancing during interviews which should be conducted with a glass/plastic shield between them and the interviewee. Face masks should be worn at all times during the interview.
• There will be no physical interaction between people at all times on the race course, this includes post-race celebrations.
• All protective equipment that is disposed of should be deposited in refuse bins as provided on the race course.
• Upon completion of their respective function/duty, each person is required to leave the race course as soon as possible.
RIDERS
• Riders are to proceed to the Jockeys’ Room immediately upon arrival at the race course and to ensure that they settle in a position that is in line with social distancing of 1.5 metres between persons.
• All equipment should be thoroughly disinfected before arriving on course and again when arriving home after races.
• No equipment should be shared between Riders.
• Frequent hand washing and sanitising should take place.
• Face masks should be worn at all times, including during a race.
• There will be no parade ring activity, the focus should be on the canter past to ensure that the horses are filmed whilst adhering to social distancing principles.
• Riders are to mount the horses in the saddling enclosure and to proceed directly to the Start after parading in front of the Grand Stand in numerical order.
• Riders are to place their skull caps and crops on a table next to the scale when weighing in to avoid contact with another person.
• Whilst proceeding to the Start, the 1.5 metre social distance rule should be practiced.
• Use of the sweat box will not be permitted on RACE DAY.
• Whilst parading at the Start, the 1.5 metre social distancing rule must be practiced.
• Riders are not to dismount their horses at the start.
3

COVID-19 – NHA PROTOCOLS FOR RACING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS – 28.05.2020
START AREA
• Race time schedules are to be carefully considered to ensure that any group of people are not together for a protracted period of time.
• All Handlers are to practice hand sanitisation and wear face masks at all times.
• Social distancing of at least 1.5 metres to be practiced by all Starting personnel.
• Horses to be loaded by odd and even draws to facilitate spacing between Riders and Handlers in the stalls for as long as possible.
• Fractious/stubborn horses will be withdrawn if their racing manners result that a number of Handlers have to load them and consequently the social distancing principles cannot be adhered to.
• Officials at the Start are to enforce the 1.5 metre social distancing guidelines and the wearing of face masks and gloves.
• The starting stalls are to be thoroughly sanitised before and after every race.
These directions will be effective immediately. The NHA further provides notice that any person who breaches these directions will be subject to a significant fine. It should also be noted that nothing in this Notice derogates from the powers of Stipendiary Stewards to either suspend any person and/or deny them access to a race course.
The provisions of Rule 72.1.40 are applicable:
72. SPECIFIC OFFENCES (PROHIBITED PRACTICES) 72.1 CONTRAVENTIONS
Without in any way derogating from the provisions of the RULES, no PERSON shall:-
72.1.40 fail or refuse to comply with any reasonable order, direction or requirement of any LICENSED OFFICIAL.
THE INDUSTRY WILL FURTHER PROMOTE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES BY IMPLEMENTING AN ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE PLAN, THE PARTICULARS OF WHICH WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

A D Hyde
Racing Control Executive

Don’t forget the barman.


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Jockeys will be restricted to ride in the region of their choice and cannot move in between provinces. They will be allowed to make ONE move prior to the commencement of racing.

Wonder how this will work in reality seeing the KZN "season" is about to start. Would (say) Richard Fourie have to move to Durban before the commencement of the first meeting on 01/06, if Snaith already has horses here?

Horses moving between regions shall NOT be allowed unless a horse is moving to another province on a permanent basis as per the regulations of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

If a visiting horse is already here, then returning shouldn't be a problem because it would be "moving" to another province or going back home permanently after the season winds up. What happens to the horses from out of Province who are yet to travel to KZN, what happens to them when the season is finished, take De Kock, Tarry and P. Peter, to name a few, who might have thought of sending their string down before lock-down restrictions came into play?

bayern wrote: Jockeys will be restricted to ride in the region of their choice and cannot move in between provinces. They will be allowed to make ONE move prior to the commencement of racing.

Wonder how this will work in reality seeing the KZN "season" is about to start. Would (say) Richard Fourie have to move to Durban before the commencement of the first meeting on 01/06, if Snaith already has horses here?

Horses moving between regions shall NOT be allowed unless a horse is moving to another province on a permanent basis as per the regulations of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

If a visiting horse is already here, then returning shouldn't be a problem because it would be "moving" to another province or going back home permanently after the season winds up. What happens to the horses from out of Province who are yet to travel to KZN, what happens to them when the season is finished, take De Kock, Tarry and P. Peter, to name a few, who might have thought of sending their string down before lock-down restrictions came into play?

If i were a trainer, I'd send all my big names down, and hopefully in August, all is back to normal, you can send your string back - if not, the bigger stars normally have a rest at that time of year anyway. We could be in for a battle of the stars season in KZN this time round, or we could be watching a very ordinary winter season with not many big named visiting horses.

Serious question, has permission been granted to race or are we just going for it?

mikesack wrote:

Mac wrote: I hear Kimberley trainers to relocate to KZN and then from July KZN to host Monday meetings dedicated to current Kimberley trainers. For how long?


Brilliant move. Ziets will be tipping us winner after winner now.

I am on my way to PE but I know that 4 oncourse trainers are going to Ashburton and 2 others going to Vaal .