Dave Mollett – 2014 Equus Champion journalist
Equus winning journalist David Mollett spoke to leading owner, breeder and administrator Chris van Niekerk about the most important juncture in South African racing history.
Chris, as the country’s leading owner you will be feeling the current lockdown as acutely as anyone – yet I am sure your natural optimism will shine through as it has done in your speeches at Emperors Palace Equus banquets and CTS cocktail parties. However, Turf Talk would like to get your view on the current state of play of the industry.
DM: We are now in a different ball game than we were in January (when we were probably more concerned about who would win the Sun Met!) so have we devised the right strategy to address the problems?
CVN: Even the most clairvoyant among us, could not, in January, predict what would befall, not just our Racing Industry, but our country and indeed the World. Therefore, we did not and could not, have a ‘correct’ strategy in place to deal with what has now transpired.
“However, I do believe that this perfect storm is offering an opportunity for us to reshape the landscape, to paint a sustainable future on a new canvas. Sometimes hitting rock bottom is the only way for us humans to realise that drastic change is required. More of the same will simply not work and throwing money at the current setup, structures and sectorial agendas, will not be sustainable.”
Chris van Niekerk hughs his July winning jockey Piere Strydom
DM: Owners have to provide the product for the show to go on. We know the RA is doing its utmost under the leadership of Brian Riley with his outstanding business acumen but – while the injection of R13,1 million to stakes is most welcome – he did make one worrying comment.
“The RA has some cash reserves but they are insufficient to render this kind of support for an extended period.”
One comment by owner Tommy Shawe, who is an enthusiastic racing man, is particularly distressing.
He posted that: “We can all wait for racing to restart and maybe for 50% stakes…….not worth it – I have 10 horses but the way it’s going won’t have any by year end.”
Personally, I find it encouraging that a legendary racing personality like Mike de Kock is prepared to give up his time and join the RA board. Would you agree? Mike has always called a spade a spade (you’d have thought he was born in Yorkshire!) and his recent comments hit the nail on the head.
He said: “We cannot speak for decisions made it the past. Things are what they are, and we are in the now. We are fully committed to the best possible outcome for racing. Things cannot change overnight and there seems to be a belief that certain entities or individuals can simply ‘take over’ the industry, wipe the slate clean of undesirable factors, throw money in at risk, start afresh and proceed merrily and profitably into the future. We (the RA) have had to make our decisions within a ghastly economic climate and faced with the additional and unexpected consequences of Covid-19.”
I know from personal experience that Mike is firstclass when dealing with the media, but social media criticism may be something new. He said: “Ongoing debates with negative individuals will get us exactly nowhere.”
It might be the right time to remind him of what one American scribe once told me “while social media can be both interesting and informing, if you take it too seriously you could end up slitting your wrists!”
Is enough being done for owners here, when we read that Singapore is giving every owner S$1200 (R15000) a month and Canada C$1200, although this comes from the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation?
CVN: Owners constitute a very important sector of the industry. But so do breeders, trainers, jockeys, grooms etc. and right now all need support. And all, including the Operators, are short of cash.
So, what support from whom to whom? Social media critics have been around since the birth of social media and they will always be with us. Whilst I believe in transparency, I also know that whatever decisions are taken over the next weeks and months, will not satisfy everybody. So, the critics and naysayers will always be with us. Decisions are invariably taken within the context of a current environment, often not appreciated or understood by those who came later. Ten years from now, however sound today’s decisions are for today’s issues, they will be ridiculed in some quarters.
Mike De Kock (credit: hamishNIVENPhotography)
DM: Top trainers such as Sean Tarry, Justin Snaith and Mike De Kock have all come out with “row the boat together” statements which is laudable. However, at the other end of the spectrum, we have the smaller yards crying out for immediate help. Cliffie Miller, a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, suggested that their stable rental be cut during the pandemic. This seems a reasonable request. Another report – and I’m uncertain of its accuracy – states that 50% of horses are fed and raced by trainers themselves. In the UK, William Haggas said “it is the small trainers who are under the cosh.”
Do you see our training ranks dwindling markedly if they are not thrown a lifeline?
CVN: I believe it is fair to say that, given the current environment the ranks of all sectors of the racing industry will dwindle. It will be a case of the survival of the fittest. Some may argue that such an outcome may not necessarily be bad for a more robust industry built on new foundations.
DM: The application to government announced by NHA CEO, Vee Moodley, is an indication they are not letting the grass grow under their feet. He rightly points to the fact that racing is taking place – albeit behind closed doors – in Australia, Sweden, Japan, Hong Kong and certain states in the USA. Also, we handled racing without any hitches without spectators before lockdown. Are you happy with the NHA strategy?
CVN: There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the single most crucial strategy, or tactic, is to engage Government as a full and committed partner in a revamped racing industry structure. Unless that is achieved, any money thrown at the current scenario will be wasted. Staging race meetings is the factory of the operators. Participating in race meetings is the factory of the owners and trainers and their employees. Under stage 4 of the lock down, I believe Government should allow us to open our factory, without any spectators.
DM: One of the points Vee made in his application is that the industry has a staff of 60 000 employed directly or indirectly in the industry. 5000 are grooms and he’s right in stating it would be difficult to find them employment in other sectors of the economy.
Then there is the worrying statement from Phumelela chairman, Moses Tembe, who told Business Day “The Horseracing Division will continue to battle unless government comes to the party. In fact, I am of the view that retrenchments are inevitable in the Horseracing Division given other priorities that beset the country.”
Top jockey, Frankie Dettori, has said “we’re not going to come out of this crisis smelling of roses.” While someone like Frankie has no financial worries – are many knowledgeable racing people going to be lost to the sport? There can be little doubt that – when racing resumes – the leisure rand will be slashed.
One expects – during this trying time – that you would agree with Theodore Roosevelt’s quote that “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
Are we in a phase of false optimism or not?
CVN: Positive attitudes have always, and will always, defeat negative states of mind. The world of tomorrow will not be the same again, that much I believe. However, as I pointed out earlier, this is the time to grasp the nettle, this is the time to see opportunity to bring together all stake holders and rewrite the script for a vibrant South African racing industr
DM: Do you foresee a more transparent attitude going forward with media since we have been stifled, in some cases disgraced and have had acknowledgements and rewards removed. What is your view on a free racing press which predicted the current situation 10 years ago before we were shoved aside?
CVN: If ever there was a time for all sectors and role players to work in unison it is now. This cannot be achieved without absolute transparency, void of any personal agendas.
DM: Finally – on a lighter note – can you reveal the horse which Sean believes could give you a third Vodacom Durban July triumph?
CVN: As far as a July winner is concerned, let’s hope for the actual running of the July first! Trust what I have said is helpful.
- Turf Talk
