On 22 April 2020 The National Horseracing Authority sent a comprehensive submission to the President of the Republic of South Africa, the National Coronavirus Command Council, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. 

This application set out reasons and motivations as to why the horseracing industry should be allowed to stage behind closed doors race meetings under Lockdown, based on the following principles that horseracing:

1.       Poses a negligible threat to Public Health;

2.       Can preserve jobs from the most vulnerable sectors of our society;

3.       Can contribute to resurrecting our economy in a safe and controlled manner; and

4.       Can mitigate against a major animal welfare crisis facing the industry.

The NHA received acknowledgement and has been advised that our application is being considered.  Our Chief Executive is in constant contact with the relevant Government authorities.  Late last night we were informed that our application should be escalated directly to the Ministers for consideration.  This has been done earlier this morning. 

Our understanding is that the Ministers and the National Coronavirus Command Council will be deliberating our submission over the next 48 hours and we are hoping for an outcome on or before the 30 April.

In the interim, the Racing Operators will perform all pre-race administrative work for the race meetings on 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd May subject to the positive outcome of our submission. A detailed ‘racing behind closed doors’ policy document is currently being drafted and shall be circulated later this week.

We understand the anxiousness, uncertainty and fluid nature of the current circumstances.  Feedback on the outcome shall be disseminated as soon as we receive same.  For now, our fate lies in the hands of the Government. 

-NHRA Press Release

A letter from chairperson Susan Rowett to NHA members has been shared on the organisations Twitter feed, and is reproduced in full below:

April 15, 2020 

Dear NHA Member,

As you are aware the COVID-19 virus has had an unparalleled disastrous effect on the world.

This led to our President Mr Cyril Ramaphosa declaring a State of Disaster, followed by the Lockdown period (27 March 2020 to 30 April 2020) in order to contain the spread of the virus and to try to flatten the growth curve in relation to further infections and fatalities.

The NHA is acutely aware of the devastating consequences of the suspension of racing. It affects all Stakeholders including our 6,000 plus members who own more than 10,000 horses in racing stables, pre-training yards and stud farms, as well as their 17,000 staff employed directly and thousands more indirectly. It threatens livelihoods and puts further strain on an industry already troubled by poor economic conditions.

As the Regulator of Horseracing, we do have significant responsibilities which we do not take lightly and we are taking stringent measures to protect and support our industry:

Actions – Covid-19
1. As the Regulator of the industry, the NHA Chief Executive was appointed by Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to be responsible for creating and monitoring permit documentation of racing’s essential services, so as to ensure the welfare and well- being of the critical staff required for the care of our horses across the country. This has worked well.

2. We formed the Covid-19 response team as an effective body to ensure actions matched decisions, liaising in a unified manner with other bodies in racing for optimum outcome.

3. Our NHA Officials are monitoring the training centres and are carrying out their normal duties of inspecting stable yards, monitoring training operations and attending to any required certification, for example, starting stall sessions on a national basis. In addition, our Stud Book and Registrations Departments are attending to any applications that require to be processed. Most of the NHA Staff complement is able to work remotely from home during this period.

4. More recently, we have been involved with the Operators and the Racing Association in the planning for the resumption of racing and reorganisation of the programme, particularly Graded races, ensuring compliance as far as possible with International Race Planning Committee, Asian Pattern Committee, international and domestic partners.

5. We are currently in discussions with representatives of Government to ascertain if we will be allowed to resume racing after 30 April given the restrictions on public gatherings which affect both the racetrack and the betting shops. We hope to be allowed to resume on a smart limited attendance approach.

6. We are very mindful of the necessity to protect human life, whilst also ensuring the balance of livelihoods of all participants in our industry.

7. The NHA is aware that certain international jurisdictions have continued to race under limited attendance rules until normalisation occurs and we will endeavour to use these as examples of how Horseracing can and should continue in the appropriate environment.

Economic Challenges

Since the largest Operator Phumelela announced that it had made substantial losses in financial year 2019, the NHA has been keenly aware that it could precipitate a crisis in the economic health of our industry and it sought to engage with the key stakeholders, mindful of its responsibility to care for all of its members and their staff at all levels.

The NHA engaged in a Strategic Session in September 2019 to identify risks and challenges and engaged in discussions with the Chairman of Phumelela. It should be borne in mind that the NHA is the National Regulator, which is tasked with maintaining integrity in our Sport, it is not the business arm of the Industry. Its foremost purpose is to maintain honourable practice.

On 22 February 2020 the NHA chaired a gathering of Chairmen and CEOs of various organisations to discuss the way forward.

It became apparent at that meeting and in subsequent meetings that a new racing structure would need to be devised as the current model, whilst it may have served a good purpose for a lengthy period, had reached a point where it was no longer working well enough to sustain and advance the life’s blood of the racing and breeding industries.

This will take time, require patience and engagement to plan. Further discussions and considerations have continued to identify the concerns and seek solutions in a long and short term scenario.

The NHA are working with the Racing Operators, the Racing Association and the Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust and a joint press release was sent out on 13 April 2020 explaining the current status and the intended revised dates of racemeetings and purses.

We commend the Board of the Racing Association for making R13.1 million available in terms of the Main Object of their Memorandum of Incorporation to safeguard the sport by assisting purses in the short term. A lot more remains to be done, but what is heartening is the realisation that we all have to work together in a common cause to overcome racing’s problems.

We are aware of financial implications causing the imminent threat of horses being abandoned. We are investigating an easier mechanism for transfer of fractional interests and change of ownership to streamline requirements. We urge all participants to do their utmost to ensure that the welfare of the horse is a priority.

The NHA seeks the earliest resumption of racing to begin restoring cash flows and in order to assist Operators, the Board agreed to sacrifice 50% of its levies due by the Operators for the period April to June 2020 and salary cuts to our staff have been applied.

Conclusion

We stand a time of great upheaval. Winston Churchill said “A Pessimist sees disaster in every opportunity, but an Optimist sees opportunity in every disaster”. There are always two sides to every crisis, and we in racing need to see current events as our Opportunity to make positive change, arrest declines and create a new version of our great sport and industry. Notwithstanding the economic challenges, racing has a proud history since the first meeting on the Greenpoint common in 1792. For 228 years we have prevailed through world wars, depressions, recessions and changing political climates – and we shall do so again.

Thank you to all for playing your part as we all work together to overcome these challenges.

Kind regards

Susan Rowett

Chairperson

Further to the National Press release issued by the NHA and the Racing Operators on Monday, 13 April, Gold Circle has amended the dates of its signature race days for Champions Season.

Sunday 31 May:

IOS Drill Hall Stakes (G 2)

WSB Guineas (G 2)

WSB Fillies Guineas (G 2)

Sunday 28 June:

Daily News 2000 (G 1)

Woolavington 2000 (g 1)

Gold Challenge (G 1)

Saturday 4 July:

Golden Horse Sprint (G 1)

SA Fillies Sprint (g 1)

Golden Horse Medallion (G 1)

Allan Robertson Fillies Championship (G 1)

Saturday 25 July

Vodacom Durban July (G 1)

Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes (G 1)

Durban Golden Horseshoe (G 2)

Golden Slipper (G 2)

DSTV Gold Vase (G 3)

Saturday 29 August

Gold Cup (G 3)

Champions Cup (G 1)

Mercury Sprint (G 1)

Premiers Champion Stakes (G 1)

Thekwini Stakes (G 1)

Gold Bracelet (G 2)

Umkomazi Stakes (G 2)

The Debutante (G 2)

The complete Feature Race programme for Champions Season 2020 is available on the Gold Circle website www.goldcircle.co.za

Vaal Thursday Tips and Race Previews by David Thiselton

Race 1
Preview: ZULUONMYSTOEP (4) is a long-striding sort with plenty of scope and with the Tarry yard having hit form he could reverse form with the more exposed El Romiachi. GREAT ESTEEM (2) showed what he could do from a good draw last time over 1800m, having had two tough draws before that, and he could earn here despite the trip being on the sharp side. PACIFIC DREAM (11) should improve over this more suitable trip after being beaten ten lengths on debut over 1200m.  (David Thiselton 4-2-11)

Race 2
Preview: AFTERNOON TEA (2) is well regarded and after getting off the mark on Saturday in good style over 1160m when running all the way to the line he can follow up here over a trip he should enjoy although he will be carrying 3kg more than carded. MYNAGE (8) has finished second in both starts but was a touch one paced from a handy position last time although he could till improve. ZERNEZ (2) was doing some good work late last time over 1160m and on pedigree should relish this step up in trip. (David Thiselton 3-8-2)

Race 3
Preview: FIRE AND ICE (1) is by Noble Tune and is a half-brother to Cape Fillies Guineas winner Missisippi Burning so should enjoy this step up in trip so he can build on his useful form to date and the 4kg claim helps too. SIREN OF GREECE (11) has finished fair seconds in both starts to date and will relish the step up in trip being by Duke Of Marmalade out of Siren’s Call who failed narrowly to land the Triple Tiara. BLUE MOON CITY (5) is by Marchfield out of twice-winning Victory Moon mare from 1600-1800m. (David Thiselton 1-11-5)

Race 4
Preview: KOOL BAIKAL (2), who is by Byword out of Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic winner Urabamba, was a touch unlucky last time over 2000m but was staying on at the finish and on pedigree he has a shout of getting this trip and is well drawn. ABDUL (3) is by stamina influence The Sheik out of eleven-time Listed winner Formation who won up to 2000m. GREY STREET (4) proved he stays the trip when a narrow second last time and he has a similarly wide draw here. (David Thiselton 2-3-4)

Race 5
Preview: BELLAGIO KING (9) was not disgraced in the Derby Trial last time out and before that ran a much improved race when easily winning his maiden over this trip so he should make a bold bid from the front off a reasonable merit rating. KINGS CUP (4) just needed it last time when right up there and fading late and he now has his third run after a rest so should be right there if able to overcome a wide draw. SERENDIPITY (14) has good form over this trip and did well against the boys the last time she tried it. THERAVADA (1) has a wide draw but is course and distance suited and has a 1,5kg claimer up so can go close if finding a good position. GENTLEMAN ONLY (2) finished strongly last time for a close second over 2000m with this 2,5kg claimer up. AFRICAN ADVENTURE (2) was flying at the finish last time when losing by a length to Gentleman Only over 2000m and he would have preferred that trip although he is 0,5kg better off with Theravada for a 0,75 length beating over this trip. Reserve runner LATIN OPUS (17) has a chance if getting a run. HIGHLANDER (3) SEEKING GOLD (5) and CAPETOWN AFFAIR (7) are tough to ignore. (David Thiselton 9-4-14-1-10-2-17-3-5-7)

Race 6                                                                                    
Preview: DIORAMA (7) ran a fair fifth in the Oaks Trial and has a chance here from a good draw. TAHITIAN ORANA (8) was a length behind Diorama in that race and now has a plum draw with first-time blinkers on. JIVE EXPRESS (2) has a win and a second over course and distance but does have a five point raise to overcome for her last win. (David Thiselton 7-8-2)

Race 7
Preview: LIBERADO (7) has fine form over this trip and has won over this course and distance. AKWAAN (1) won his maiden well with first-time blinkers on last time over 1400m and now tries further which he should get because although his sire I Am Invincible was a sprinter his dam by Fastnet Rock won over this trip. WAQAAS (9) is off a competitive mark and could earn. (David Thiselton 7-1-9)

Race 8
Preview: RODGER THE DODGER (2) won well on debut and has been given a reasonable opening handicap mark. WRITTEN IN STONE (6) goes well for this jockey and will be staying on over this trip. STRIKEITLIKEAMATCH (11) has not been disgraced lately and and is off a competitive mark. (David Thiselton 2-6-11)     

To take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

The Kings Cup run last Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville is a traditional precursor to the SA Champions Season, a three month feast of world class horseracing from May through July, and this year’s winner Born To Perform was fitting as he has a pedigree with the Vodacom Durban July stamped all over it.

Yet this grey gelding might never have seen a racecourse at all had it not been for the fine horsemanship and patience of trainer Dennis Bosch. 

Born To Perform’s father Silvano is the most successful July stallion in history and his mother Dancer’s Daughter won the July in 2008 in a dead-heat with the great Pocket Power.

Silvano is the only stallion in history to sire four July winners and he is also the only stallion in history to have the first three past the post in a single running. 

His four winners have been Bold Silvano is 2010, Heavy Metal in 2013, Power King in 2015 and Marinaresco in 2017. In 2015 the first three past the post, Power King, Punta Arenas and Tellina, were all by Silvano. In 2017 the first two past the post, Marinaresco and Al Sahem were both by Silvano and in 2014 he sired the first and third horses past the post.

With a pedigree like that Born To Perform was always going to attract interest at the Sales, especially as he was bred by one of the country’s top breeders, Highlands Farm Stud. He also strongly resembled his robust grey mother, Dancer’s Daughter.

He was duly hammered down for R500,000 at the CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale.

He was then put on another sale, the CTS Empress Palace Select Yearling Sale, and was bought by Markus Jooste’s Mayfair Speculators for  R800,000. 

Jooste was then exposed in the Steinhoff scandal and Born To Perform, whose stubborn reputation preceded him, was sold on at a dispersal sale. Bosch managed to secure him for a mere R55,000 on behalf of R Hurchund. 

Dancer’s Daughter was difficult herself. She would drag riders around the training centres and on the racecourses, other times she would stop dead-still and look around and then only go when she was ready to and she would usually go faster than the rider wanted her to, and by the end of her career she was becoming reluctant to jump out of the starting stalls.

Born To Perform inherited the strength of his mother in both mind and body. Bosch explained how he would walk out of the ring in the mornings and then just stand stock still and no amount of effort would budge him. He just refused to work.

Fortunately Bosch was a top jockey in his day and he decided the only way was to ride the big horse himself,

He said, “I rode him for three months myself. I won’t do that again in a hurry! We gave him a lot of time to play in the paddock too and nursed him. A lot of work was put in by everybody in the yard. He is a sound horse but the main thing was his mind started coming right.”

There was a lot of concern when Born To Perform was taken down to the racecourse. However, he fortunately behaved everytime, sometimes with the help of a lead pony.

Born To Perform, due to his antics, only made his debut in the December of his four-year-old year. 

Bosch today thinks his late start was probably a blessing as the horse has been able to progress steadily. He believes even as a five-year-old today he is still improving.

The grey gelding has now won six of his 12 starts and the Kings Cup was the first time he had won a feature.

South Africa’s current champion jockey elect Warren Kennedy has played a big role in the horse’s success. Kennedy knows all of this horse’s quirks. In a race he leaves him alone to do his own thing and never pushes him in the early stages. Therefore, Born To Perform usually produces a strong finish from off the pace, as he did on Sunday. Kennedy has ridden Born To Perform seven times and won on him six times, an incredible strike rate.

Bosch will now be thinking of targeting a couple of similar features during the SA Champions Season. He believes Born To Perform to be of Listed to Grade 3 class at present, which is still a couple of rungs below the Grade 1 class of his mother.

Bosch admitted Born To Perform was still a difficult horse to train but concluded, “He knows us now and enjoys us so is manageable. On Sunday he didn’t even need a lead pony, he went down to the start on his own!”

By David Thiselton