Let errant jockeys serve their suspensions doing industry service, rather than be allowed to simply take the time off as a convenient holiday.
That suggestion was just one of many innovative proposals to come out of the public reaction to the rather blatant lack of effort expended by former SA champion jockey S’manga Khumalo a month ago at Fairview, when he patently cost Captain Courteous the race – and his backers and connections a deserved winning cheque.
To add credence to the observation that Khumalo had apparently given his mount an ‘easy’, the gelding won easily a fortnight later.
While the case is still sub judice, not a single informed person canvassed by the Sporting Post has given Khumalo the thumbs up.
The National Horseracing Authority subsequently confirmed that an inquiry has been opened into Khumalo’s riding of Captain Courteous.
S’manga Khumalo – SA title will have a hollow ring to it
By then it will be many months down the line and his SA champion title will be safely on the mantlepiece.
What happened to swift justice? Why did the system not allow the authorities to suspend him immediately?
That’s how it works in the normal world and a blind man from a helicopter could see what happened – surely?
Expert opinion suggests that based on his track record and, depending under what rule he is charged, ‘Bling’ is likely to get three months off – that is a fair amount based on his substantial average earnings.
But, hang on – should we also not be measuring it against the possible rewards reaped by a wrongdoer?
And big earners have access to powerful big money attorneys – we saw in the Oscar Pistorius trial how justice has a bizarrely disproportionate way of meting out punishment – depending on who has the brief and who is doing the strategising and talking.
A glance at the NHA calendar shows that jockeys regularly get fined relatively innocuous amounts for a range of transgressions.
Plenty of garaging for Frankie’s runabout
But what is R1000 to a guy who earns R100 000 plus per month?
In Hong Kong, a much more realistic system is in place. The fine is levied in proportion to the offender’s income.
When getting time off to, say the tune of a week or two, our jockeys also appear able to negotiate when this is taken.
This happened to a KZN jockey recently who got seven days for causing interference.
His hearing was on Saturday 25 June, but he arranged to do his seven days from Sunday 3 July – very conveniently after July day.
And sure, we are aware of the allowance regarding Group race commitments.
But should this tail wag the dog?
And what does a week’s suspension really mean most of the time? A break, a holiday, relaxing – just some time off.
That is why the concept of a linked punishment of ‘industry service’ may be a winner.
Imagine a jockey having to do an 8am to 5pm stint for 7 days at the local Horse Care Unit, or Veterinary hospital, cleaning floors – or at the Jockey Academy painting a roof and sweeping floors.
Or even at the NHA offices making tea, or washing cars and windows.
That would certainly dramatically change the complexion of a 14 day suspension from a family island holiday, to a consequence and punishment with a serious downside – and one to be avoided at all costs.
We keep harping on about how punters and owners are the lifeblood of the game.
But every week we have a jockey doing something stupid – and giving those very punters and owners that fund their lifestyles a good reason to find another avenue to blow their hard earned cash.
We have to ask whether the present penalty structures and the speed at which they are dispensed are serving the rudimentary purposes of deterrence, retribution and rehabilitation?
Somehow they don’t appear to be.
