Taking Stick. Former jockey Gavin Venter, aka ‘Stick Man’
The National Horseracing Authority of SA have advised that at an Inquiry which was held in Port Elizabeth on 23 July 2013, Stable Employee Gavin Venter was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.42 in that he conducted himself in a disrespectful manner towards an Objection Board during an Objection hearing after the running of Race 8 on 7 June 2013.
Mr Venter pleaded not guilty to the charge.
After carefully reviewing the evidence presented, the Inquiry Board found him guilty of the charge and after giving due regard to his points at mitigation, imposed a fine of R2 500-00 which the Board wholly suspended for one year on condition that Mr Venter is not found guilty of contravening Rule 72.1.42 during this period.
At the Inquiry Mr Venter was also charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.26, in that as a registered Stable Employee but employed as a Tellytrack presenter by Tellytrack, a television channel that is broadcast both nationally and internationally, he conducted himself in an improper manner by making a comment that criticised a decision made by the NHA Objection Board on 7 June 2013, that may have had the effect of bringing into disrepute the good name of The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa and a Racing Operator.
Mr Venter pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Board after carefully considering the evidence found him guilty of the charge and after giving regard to Mr Venter’s points of mitigation, imposed a fine of R15 000-00, of which R5 000-00 is suspended for a period of two years on condition that Mr Venter is not found guilty of contravening this rule during this period.
Mr Venter has the Right of Appeal against both the findings and penalties imposed.
