An ordinary member of the National Horseracing Authority has called on the regulatory body to fully investigate an incident involving an alleged physical and verbal altercation by an NHA member with a racegoer at Turffontein on Champions Day.
The member, who is a racehorse owner, says that he believes the member of the NHA is in contravention of rules 72.1.25 and 72.1.26.
“This conduct is disgraceful and deserves censure regardless of what was allegedly said or done. A man in his position has the wherewithal to summon security to remove any person hindering him, should that have been the case. To have handled this situation in the way he did has besmirched the good name of the NHA due to his standing as a board member,” writes the owner.
He has called on the NHA for confirmation that an investigation will take place into this incident.
“The punter is known to me and I have been assured that the NHA Member was not physically threatened, nor was his family sworn at, or disparaging remarks made about them, as is now being alleged in certain forums.”
He says that he intends to take the matter further if the NHA does not pursue the incident with the same vigour they have shown in other 72.1.26 cases.
The rules read as follows:
Without in any way derogating from the provisions of the RULES, no PERSON shall:-
72.1.25 misbehave himself or conduct himself in an improper manner on any RACE COURSE PROPERTY, at any time;
72.1.26 behave or conduct himself in such a manner which has or might have the effect of discrediting horse racing or which does or might bring into disrepute the good name of the NATIONAL HORSERACING AUTHORITY, a RACING OPERATOR, any training establishment, the ACADEMY, the STEWARDS or members of any committee of the NATIONAL HORSERACING AUTHORITY or any INQUIRY BOARD, APPEAL BOARD, INQUIRY REVIEW BOARD, the LICENSING BOARD, any OBJECTION BOARD or any RACING OPERATOR or any official of the NATIONAL HORSERACING AUTHORITY or RACING OPERATOR;
The Sporting Post contacted the NHA for comment yesterday and are expecting further feedback later today.
The NHA have confirmed to the owner that an investigation will be opened into the incident.
