Loyal racing folk Dorrie & Mark Sham with Rocky Agrella and Chris Taylor
A clearly frustrated owner Mark Sham tells the Sporting Post that he is ready to do what it takes to get the NHRA to answer for apparent double standards, a lack of accountability and perplexing unilateral decisions.
In an open letter, the longstanding racing man writes an open letter after apparently having had no response to his calls
Certain things have been bugging me for a while but it finally took Mr Hyde’s response to a default judgement to push me to write this letter.
I will be bringing 3 issues to your attention but have so many more in my head it will take more than this email to get to.
We are all in racing , which is one of the most expensive hobbies anyone can have, for mainly one thing…..passion !
Unfortunately the NHRA seem hellbent on trying to get rid of the people that are keeping the game on its rickety legs.
1 My wife was found guilty of a “positive out of competition “ test taken from a horse in her care despite the NHA vet even coming out in her favor. At great expense to NHRA a long inquiry was held and she was given a hefty fine. This was put out in a press release by NHRA and my wife was vilified on social media being called amongst others a “drug artist” and “shouldn’t be allowed to hold a license” . It cost us R10 000 to defend this and NHRA sent an email to turn around this finding. To date no press release or retraction or apology has been printed by NHA so in the minds of the public she still has this stigma.
2 As per NHRA rules a transport company went through a 9 month R20 000 journey to get a default judgement on a colour holder whose debt is more than 2 years old only to have Mr Hyde decide on his own that he won’t default the owner. This person does not only owe the transport company but many others too. It is this total lack of support that allows people to just run up bills then default.
3 A work rider gets injured in a race under NHRA rules but then it’s discovered that there is no insurance for them. It becomes his own issue to get medical care and wages while he can’t work. How did this get past your rules Mr Hyde?
Mr Moodley, I have tried to call you 5 times with not even a message back from you. At least Phumelela and RA return your calls and queries.
I know you see us as small owners and trainers but please don’t treat us like mushrooms and think we are below being treated with respect.
Mark Sham
Vee Moodley replies:
Dear Mr Sham,
The issues that you raise fall under the jurisdiction of Mr Arnold Hyde – Executive Director: Racing Control and I believe that he has been communication with yourself.
I am aware of his responses and concur with his approach. It’s almost impossible for me to attend to every query that my Executive team are currently attending to. You need to understand and appreciate that my role is also very strategic and operational matters DO NOT fall directly within my mandate and I only INTERVENE when the NEED arises. This is not warranted in these scenarios you raise
I certainly DO NOT discriminate and never did. I take umbrage to you comments of “treating you as mushrooms”.
Thank you
Vee Moodley
Mark Sham responds:
Mr Hyde has not been in contact with me.
If you just replied to one of my calls this letter would not have been necessary. You are well aware of how upset I was over the positive.
What do you as The Head aim to do about the bad debt in racing? Surely this serious matter falls under your mandate? It’s the biggest cause of problems in racing and you don’t see it as serious enough?
I take umbrage at the rules of NHRA being used on a discriminatory basis.
Mark Sham
Vee Moodley replies:
Mr Hyde, is the correct person to deal with. Upon receipt of this response he shall respond.
We shall NOT intervene in “business relationships” between Trainers and Owners other than what our current rules allow.
Thank you
Vee Moodley
