Poor visibility and a waterlogged track
Following a protest by the jockeys riding at Fairview on Friday, it was decided that the remainder of the race-meeting be abandoned.
Thus races 6, 7 and 8 were abandoned due to poor visibility and a water logged track.
The Ringer shares his thoughts about Saturday
Gold Circle look forward to welcoming thousands of horse racing fans to the 2022 Hollywoodbets Durban July
‘Obviously this year we are only going to have 50% capacity with 27 500 people there, but it might work in our favour given it is our first time doing the event’- Devin Heffer
In what will be a major boost for a race that already looks set to ignite the imagination of the South African public, multiple champion record-breaking jockey Piere ‘Striker’ Strydom is set to partner Justin Snaith’s 2020 winner Belgarion
The National Punters’ Guide for Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July racemeeting has been published early as everybody is speculating and debating the merits of Africa’s Greatest Horseracing event – and looking for the winners!
Ralph Rixon, a legend of the South African training ranks and the man who enjoyed such great success with the grey bomber Jamaican Music, amongst many top horses, passed away at the age of 90 on Saturday
Captain’s Ransom maintained a slender lead on Horse of The Year Table
The National Punters’ Guide for today’s Kenilworth racemeeting has been published
Have Your Say - *Please Use Your Name & Surname*
Comments Policy
The Sporting Post encourages readers to comment in the spirit of enlightening the topic being discussed, to add opinions or correct errors. All posts are accepted on the condition that the Sporting Post can at any time alter, correct or remove comments, either partially or entirely.
All posters are required to post under their actual name and surname - no anonymous posts or use of pseudonyms will be accepted. You can adjust your display name on your account page or to send corrections privately to the Editor. The Sporting Post will not publish comments submitted anonymously or under pseudonyms.
Please note that the views that are published are not necessarily those of the Sporting Post.
31 comments on “Jockey Protest – Fairview Abandoned”
In England National Hunt racing takes place in the heart of the British winter, the snow has to be swept off the course. In the US they race in sleet. But this is South Africa I suppose, jockeys can’t get wet!
Safety first cant have our jockey’s or the horses getting injured
Well done jockeys. Safety is of paramount importance for not only the jockeys but the horses as well. Why risk injuring an extremely expensive horse just because of somebody’s ego. Overseas their track record of racing injuries is not a favourable one. Horses are an investment not a buy and sell commodity.
It was scary watching. I can only imagine how hairy it must have been riding! They did get wet Mr.Jacobs.
When last have you ridden a horse in a race Michael Jacobs and more so in wet conditions with bad viability, I do the Jockeys insurance, every year the insurance company pays out hundreds of thousands to injured Jockeys who have fallen in races and been injured, stop being selfish *edited
100 percent, safety first guys….
Jocks made the ride call. Safety is of paramount importance in such treacherous conditions. Our poly tracks are not of the same standards as the overseas tracks.
@Michael Jacobs
Rider’s and Horse’s safety is paramount and rightly so, easy for you to criticize from the comfort of your couch… Feel free to feed your habit @ The English NH meetings and/or the Slush Puppies in the US.I would say “Break A Leg” but clearly that is something that you cant perceive as a possibility…
From the official Stipes report:
After riding in race 3, Jockey M van Rensburg sought permission from the Stewards to stand down from his
remaining rides. He expressed his concerns about the standard of visibility in the previous race which in his
opinion had deteriorated since the commencement of the race meeting. The Stewards after careful
consideration acceded to Jockey van Rensburg’s request even though in their opinion the standard of visibility
did not threaten the continuation of the race meeting at this time. The Stewards however accepted that each
rider has the right of choice when it comes to their personal safety and wellbeing. Jockey van Rensburg was
replaced on his remaining engagements.
The final decision from Stipes came after the fifth:
After the running of this race, the Jockeys lodged a protest in terms of Rule 5.2.3 with regards to the deteriorating
track conditions and very poor visibility. After hearing the evidence from Jockeys, Trainers and the Veterinary
Surgeon the Stewards, in consultation with the Racing Operators Representative, made a decision in the best
interests of the welfare of the horses and the safety of the Riders to abandon Races 6,7 and 8.
I fully agree Safety first. We respect our Jockeys as they add value to the fun and excitement of Racing. The safety of the horses also are critical. We respect their choice to stand up when it concerns their safety. I would have done the same in their situation as well. Ww all know of Jockeys th at fell and I jured themselves even under safe conditions.. Not too far back Jockey N Jugllaal as well who lost his life. So safety is a top priority in any walk of life.
Cecil how is the weather on your side of the world?
Any chance of racing going ahead Sunday at Scottsville.
We asked Gold Circle for an opinion last evening , George
They said they would revert today
The Mayor is very quiet at the moment- probably a big recent win
Ex-jockey Eric Fordred , have you ever ridden a horse in a race in wet connditions with bad viability?
Okay take it you meant bad visibility.
When and where?
Good Morning George…
Was so looking fwd to seeing Hoedspruit taking on Donald McDonald in Race 6 tm.
It is wet, very wet with more rain predicted.
Maybe the Editor can ask GC their (early) opinion ! Poly ?
Hi Cecil
Thanks for the update
Comments probably crossed each other – we did ask GC and they will revert today
Keep well
Postponed
https://www.sportingpost.co.za/horse-racing/horse-racing-news/newsflash-kzn-sunday-meeting-postponed/
🙂 Morning Mr Ed. The Falls Mayor is recovering from flippin Covid, geez and luckily I had all 3 jabs… I am reading, always…
SP and most of the comments only thing that kept me smiling the last few days, but us local Ballies from the 60s are tough, onkruid vergaan Nie.
Lol, and no way am I going before the SkoonMa
Take care, keep up the good work, reporting the good and the bad news. 🙂
Sorry to hear that Cecil
Happy to hear you soldiering on
Your family – and horseracing – needs you
Best and get well soon
Hi Cecil, Ag goeie nuus man!👍
Shame Mr Jacob those jocks in the UK must have been REALLY cold….
Get well soon Cecil 😊
Media reports cite F1 bosses as saying that a return of F1 to South Africa is on the cards with an agreement in sight (New York Times/News24).
There’s talk about a street race in Cape Town as an alternative to Kyalami, are they nuts? .
Cecil , 3 jabs and you still got covid, maybe time for a 4th jab?
More Se Mnr Ed, Pieta, Neill… dankie vir die goeie wense …
Very wet, lots of overnight rain. Forecast, Mon – Wed looks good for HWBets Scottsville midweek
Spare a thought for Umdloti residents, severe flooding again, property and road damages, hope No fatalities.
Albert (Big)Falls Greetings
Michael Jacobs, when last did you RIDE a horse, let alone RACE ride a horse. I think the jockey’s would want to continue racing because most of them are flying to P.E from Joburg, Durban etc, so they will want to finish the meeting so they can make as much money as possible. In the UK and other countries the race tracks are designed to handle a lot of water, sleet and snow, so it has to be really bad conditions to cancel racing! Think before you ink…!
100% agree Wayne. It is in the jockey’s interest to finish the meeting as flights, especially to PE, aren’t cheap, but when conditions deteriorate to the extent you can’t see the rail or the horse next to you, then there is no price on life and limb for both jockeys and horses.
my dad remembers eric fordred riding.. apparenlty he was quite good .. i personally never heard of him.. we punters are a fickle bunch … 2 months ago i hated anton marcus but after winning a small fortune on the she is a keeper and do it again double i am his biggest fan …lol ..give the jocks a break ..
Brave admission, Gavin!
Anton will appreciate that.
Eric Fordred used to ride for Alec Nicholas – was a top jockey
Recall him being called four wide fordred by punters
Sometimes the better going is on the outside…
Eric Fordred rode one of the better mares ever seen in Cape Town – Izindaba for Schub & Ratner
He rode horses like Bombay Duck, Espirit Du Corps & Bless My Soul