The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an inquiry held in Johannesburg on Friday 17 November 2017, Trainer Michael Mahiakola was charged with a contravention of Rule 50.8.2.
This arose in that he entered the horses NEWS FLASH and FRANCOIS P to race at the Flamingo Park Race Meeting on 23 October 2017, when those horses had been at an unregistered Spelling Farm during a 30-day period prior to the race.
Trainer Mahiakola pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty of the charge.
The Inquiry Board imposed a penalty of a fine of R15 000, of which R10 000 is wholly suspended for a period of one (1) year, on condition that he is not found guilty of a contravention of Rule 50.8.2 during that period.
Trainer Mahiakola has the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed.
