Cape Argus -John Mcdonald (td)

Thanks for your input Zsuz04, always valued & welcome.

It seems that your facts have scared off Zenyatta, maybe a free for all with opinions suit some better than others.

Every trainer has a professional responsibilty to the horses in their care, when they cannot be kept in racing condition, not just alive but in racing condition, fit, healthy & well fed then they should be moved on by that trainer who after all has the horses welfare as their first priority.

Would you be allowed to post pictures that you have received, should silence many critics??

Morning all,

I don't mean to be a stick in the mud, but am very reluctant to comment much further as I am obviously involved and do not want to compromise official proceedings by saying things that I should not on a public forum.

It is a very difficult situation all round and one has to spare a thought for everyone involved. As anyone who has faced hard times will know, it's not fun. Additionally having to deal with your name being discussed in an unpleasant light in public can only make things worse. Perhaps if someone had got involved earlier, things might have been different, but it's no use speculating. We are where we are and have to sort things out as best we can. Sometimes good people do bad things. And sometimes bad people do good things. We do not know the full story, so try to separate the person from the actions. This is difficult and sad, but we need to focus on the facts and issues surrounding the horses. I know it is difficult, but character assassinations are not helpful.

It is also hard on the authorities. No-one enjoys having to be the tough guy. Racing is a very small and close-knit community and having to take a hard line on someone you have known for many years is not easy. No-one is perfect, but they have taken action and are getting on with things and they deserve thanks and credit for that. That goes for the NHA as well as the SPCA.

And the same goes for the people who have raised the alarm. It would have been far easier to just say 'none of my business' and look the other way, but they didn't. It feels pretty cruddy getting someone else in trouble and even worse when people blame you for asking for help. Side issues or not, people have been worried about those horses for a long time and have been trying to help. We should be happy and proud that we still have people in our community willing to stand up and be counted. It is obviously just my opinion, but I think people like that deserve encouragement and support. Otherwise next time they may just take the easy route and then what?

Wouter - I have handed everything over to the authorities as they are the people who are correctly qualified and empowered to deal with them. If the relevant authorities feel it will be useful to publicize pictures, I will leave it up to them to make that call. I know it is a contentious issue and everyone is interested, but for the time being I am not comfortable posting photographs as I don't feel there is much value in doing so, other than to satisfy people's curiosity. And as we are not qualified to pass judgement, we should probably refrain from doing so until matters have been officially settled.

The matter is under appeal and we need to respect that. Mr Mac is entitled to his opportunity to have his say and defend himself and that is fair and as things should be. The relevant authorities will then have their opportunity to weigh everything and make a final decision. And that is fair too, because that is the system we've chosen and that is how it is designed to work.

As I said, it's not easy for anyone. Let's allow them get on with things in peace and we can discuss matters to death once we have a final decision one way or the other.

Is there any particular reason you went to the SPCA first(if that is the case) and not the operators to allow them to take the appropriate action?Still interests me why this wasnt all picked up by the stipes or whomever does their weekly inspections at the barns....

WE - yes there is. The main advantage of the SPCA is that they are independent and I wanted an outside assessment. It's all well and good for me to offer opinions, but some serious allegations were being made and it made sense to get an objective view. The Horse Care Unit / SPCA seemed the most sensible folks to ask. I did notify the operators and the NHA as well.

As to your second question, I don't know and can only suggest that you ask the responsible parties.

Zsuz you did right,no matter what anyone says! Zenyatta had lots to say untill you replied and is now,conspicuous by his absence . Why did the authorities not do what they should have ? Who knows . I for one do not wish bad on anyone and it must be hard for Mr Mac and I hope he gets out of it but really the horses have to come first and in this case the some one hasn't done their job and they should ba ashamed of,themselves that it takes outsiders to bring it to,their attention. NHA and the stipes go look in the mirror!

zen you are the better man than harry. i feel pity when i here any one is struggle but the pity is gone when i here animals suffer. any way as you say let us see what happen to him. all i say is i hope justice prevail. i can tell you one thing it will be very difficult for him to get a new start what owner will send him horse?

I agree Harry. People say owning horses is a luxury. Well training horses is also! I always wonder how some trainers manage with no winners and very poor horses! The NHRA should keep tabs on trainers not performing and review their licences.The days of owning and training for fun are over!i

Whats the point of owning a horse if its not for the fun of it.

Contest Wrote:

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> Whats the point of owning a horse if its not for
> the fun of it.

Owners should then pay up whether it earns or not. Racing is more bussinesslike now! The small owners and trainers will be taken out soon!

TT Im a small owner. I would like to know who will take me out if I pay my bills. What a load of crap !!!

neigh Wrote:

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> TT Im a small owner. I would like to know who will
> take me out if I pay my bills. What a load of crap
> !!!


My point is that most races are won by big owners and big trainers. the smaller guys are finding it hard to win races. If you look at western cape a large percentage of horses are owned by the big owners. Therefore small stables will perish.