Press Release - We won’t know until Thursday

Press Release


UPDATE ON APPLICATION TO RECOMMENCE RACING ON 1 MAY 2020


On 22 April 2020 The National Horseracing Authority sent a comprehensive submission to the President of the Republic of South Africa, the National Coronavirus Command Council, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. This application set out reasons and motivations as to why the horseracing industry should be allowed to stage behind closed doors race meetings under Lockdown, based on the following principles that horseracing:

1. Poses a negligible threat to Public Health;
2. Can preserve jobs from the most vulnerable sectors of our society;
3. Can contribute to resurrecting our economy in a safe and controlled manner; and
4. Can mitigate against a major animal welfare crisis facing the industry.

The NHA received acknowledgement and has been advised that our application is being considered. Our Chief Executive is in constant contact with the relevant Government authorities. Late last night we were informed that our application should be escalated directly to the Ministers for consideration. This has been done earlier this morning.

Our understanding is that the Ministers and the National Coronavirus Command Council will be deliberating our submission over the next 48 hours and we are hoping for an outcome on or before the 30 April.

In the interim, the Racing Operators will perform all pre-race administrative work for the race meetings on 1st, 2nd and 3rd May subject to the positive outcome of our submission. A detailed ‘racing behind closed doors’ policy document is currently being drafted and shall be circulated later this week.

We understand the anxiousness, uncertainty and fluid nature of the current circumstances. Feedback on the outcome shall be disseminated as soon as we receive same. For now, our fate lies in the hands of the Government.


Vee Moodley
Chief Executive


Vee

At least it is not a no for now, still a slight glimmer of hope.

Appreciate the updates, thank you

SA horse racing can be thankful that Vee Moodley as taken charge here.

oscar wrote: SA horse racing can be thankful that Vee Moodley as taken charge here.

I'm afraid that I cannot agree with this statement.

Over the Air wrote:

oscar wrote: SA horse racing can be thankful that Vee Moodley as taken charge here.

I'm afraid that I cannot agree with this statement.

......me too....Mr Moodley has a record of inaction and poor delivery when at Phumelela....I sense that the NHRA chairperson has galvanized them into action....lets hope that if in a face to face (with masks of course) with decision makers that Vee dont blow it with that glib manner that he thinks may work in any situation....:S

Will the Tote outlets be open or is betting forseen online?

Really hope you guys can start racing behind closed doors soon.

I see L Mxothwa has taken rides in Cape Town on Friday then PE on Monday... Thought this was going to be frowned upon? Can they travel one way and not return?

Bob Brogan wrote: I see L Mxothwa has taken rides in Cape Town on Friday then PE on Monday... Thought this was going to be frowned upon? Can they travel one way and not return?

Yes if he can prove that he in fact lives in p.e, from the 1st you are allowed to travel back to where you live providing your work has opened,but must stay there.
I must say if you are saying to government that nobody will travel provinces and they look,it won’t go down to well in some people’s mind.