The National Horseracing Authority’s inconsistent approach to providing information, seemingly as it suits them, has long been a bone of contention. What is good for the goose is surely good for the gander?
Their press releases continue to puzzle.
Legal appeal processes naturally dictate action and the disclosure of information. But we can count on one hand the number of times that they have issued news releases of findings on officials or track investigations and anything of the like involving racing operators.
For example, in the case of fines or suspensions for interference, they never elaborate on mitigating factors which can influence penalties and decisions. We have been informed that these can be of a personal or domestic and financial nature. We accept that. Nobody is out to humiliate anybody.
But take, for example, the advice of an inquiry held in Port Elizabeth on 23 March 2018, where a jockey was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.25, in that he conducted himself in an improper manner on race course property, after the running of the second race on 29 October 2017 at Fairview Racecourse.
The NHA failed to elaborate on the circumstances of this particular rider’s misdemeanour in the press release advising of his fine. And that’s fair enough. But only if it is consistently applied!
But then why crucify Jockey Deryl Daniels, a man allegedly with something of a history of substance related issues? We are most definitely not condoning Daniels’ actions – but why the detail – when it is never normally provided by the NHA?
You be the judge as to who also ultimately brought the game into disrepute when this press release was disseminated on Tuesday 17 April 2018:
The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an inquiry held in Durban on 15 March 2018, adjourned and resumed on 13 April 2018, Jockey Deryl Daniels was charged with and pleaded guilty to a contravention of Rule 72.1.25, read with Rule 72.1.26.
The charge related to Jockey Daniels conducting himself in an improper manner on Racecourse property by forcibly breaking into Greyville Racecourse on 5 January 2018 and Scottsville Racecourse on two separate occasions on 6 January 2018 and on each occasion stealing a television set. These actions had the effect of discrediting horseracing.
The Inquiry Board having considered all the evidence led, as well as the fact that Jockey Daniels had not ridden in races since 24 December 2017, imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in and attending race meetings for a period of 12 months (one year).
Furthermore, when considering all the evidence led, the Board ruled that before Jockey Daniels returns to race riding, he is to:
- a) Partake in and complete an accredited/acceptable rehabilitation programme and provide evidence thereof to the Licensing Board.
- b) He will have to submit to random specimen taking during his suspension to a minimum of 6 consecutive negative tests. These test dates are at the reasonable discretion of the Stipendiary Stewards. Should any of these tests return positive for any banned substance, this will be submitted to the Licensing Board for their consideration to determine the appropriate steps to be taken.
Jockey D Daniels has the right of appeal against the severity of the penalty imposed.
