A subsidy of R500 per horse-training for the first fortnight in May will be paid to every owner with horses in training throughout South Africa – but excluding KZN.
In a letter addressed to all trainers in the Guateng, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Northern Cape, Racing Association Acting Chairman Brian Riley says that the Directors of the Racing Association are mindful of the impact the current lockdown has on the various stakeholders within horse racing.
In the absence of racing the RA has decided to provide a subsidy to owners.
This grant will apply to all racehorse owners not only RA members. The intention is to provide a fixed amount of R500 per horse for the first two weeks of May, paid to the trainers, specifically to assist with the welfare of the horses on the owners’ behalf.
Should racing not resume by May 16th 2020, the RA will automatically pay over another R500 grant to provide relief to the end of May.
In order to facilitate this grant, we have devised a simple process to ensure that all administration matters are dealt with promptly and accurately.
The subsidy will be paid directly to trainers on submission of a claim made on the owners’ behalf and trainers are required to pass this relief on as a credit to the relevant owner’s account for their May invoice.
We’ve requested that owners liaise with their trainers directly regarding this claim and that should they not receive the relevant credit to their account at the end of May, we have requested that they inform the RA immediately via [email protected], in order that we may remedy the situation timeously.
It is important to note that this relief is only applicable to horses presently in training.
Trainers are requested to comply with the following procedure:
▪ To submit a claim form to [email protected] on behalf of their patronsb on or before the 15th of May 2020.
▪ Once the claim is received – the NHRA on behalf of the RA will verify the amount claimed by performing a head count at the yard.
▪ The RA will pay the trainer once the claim has been verified and processed.
▪ Trainers are required to pass the credit to each of the participating owners for the May invoice.
The Directors of the RA are constantly in talks with all racing stakeholders to find ways in order to ease the impact of the current situation and undertake to communicate their efforts as we move forward in this fluid environment.
This relief will be in place for the month of May and will be reviewed thereafter once more information is received regarding the resumption of racing.
During these difficult times the RA believes communication is even more important to help owners understand what is transpiring. As such we encourage you to engage with us on our website.
We commit to respond honestly with whatever information is available to us at that time.
Please understand that we cannot comment or respond to issues outside of our control or influence.
