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The situation at Flamingo Park has become desperate.
South Africa’s only sand racing centre has raced just six times this year and have no racing in prospect for the foreseeable future.
With no apparent plan from the formal structures of racing, the present is bleak and the future even darker.
Multiple champion trainer Cliffie Miller outlined the crisis in a chat with the Sporting Post earlier this week.
“There are six trainers with 175 horses based at Flamingo Park. Our staff and their families are dependent on us. The local economy is in a poor state. We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc across the world. And right here on our doorstep. We have mouths to feed – both equine and human. It impairs the dignity of any self-respecting person to stand with a begging bowl. But we are long past that stage and are making a public plea for assistance – feed, food or even a cash donation of a nominal amount will help,” said the man who has given his life to racing in the Diamond City.
The Sporting Post has had no response from the various South African racing authorities to an email that was despatched earlier this week.
With the support of his colleagues, Cliffie has made a separate savings account available for donations.
Contributions may be made anonymously, or by quoting a name in the deposit reference.
All contributions will go towards the horses and staff family needs.
Cliffie can be contacted via whatsapp or call him on mobile: 082 888 0347
Or email him on [email protected]
Thanks for considering supporting this worthy cause.
