General Notice
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The NHA recognises the threat which Class 1, Forbidden Substances pose to the integrity of racing and the welfare of the horse. For this reason sophisticated protein and peptide screening methods have been in place at the NHA for close to 20 years. During the year 2000 the NHA Laboratory established collaboration with some other major racing jurisdictions in conducting the initial research and then developing the basis of approaches and methodologies to screen for commercial Growth Hormones (GH’s), their GH releasing precursors, their messenger growth factors and synthetic analogues of such growth factors. The effective screening of a range of different Erythropoietins (EPO’s) which are commercially available was also devised during that time. The range of peptide and protein forbidden substances and substances of concern to racing has since increased and the research and development of screening and confirmation methods for these has not stood still. The NHA has the expertise, experience, set-up and instrumentation required for the screening of such substances. During the racing year 2020/2021 there was screening of such substances employing internationally approved and adopted methodologies. The specimens screened included those from post-race, pre-race and from out of competition collections (unannounced collection of specimens at stable yards). Similar screening is now again in place during the 2021/2022 season.

General Notice
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LIMITED MORATORIUM ON THE REQUIREMENT TO PAY A DEPOSIT TO LODGE A COMPLAINT AGAINST LICENCED OFFICIALS IN TERMS OF RULE 6.9.1 OR AGAINST THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE IN TERMS OF RULE 6.10.1; AND ON THE IMPOSITION OF FINES FOR UNWARRANTED COMPLAINTS IN TERMS OF RULES 6.9.4 AND RULE 6.10.3. 

 

1.          The National Board of the NHA (“Board”) noted from publications in the media that some members who signed the requisition for a Special General Meeting (“SGM”) to be held inextricably link their proposed amendments of the Constitution to the manner in which certain officials discharge their duties. When investigating why no formal complaints were lodged against the licenced officials under rule 6.9.1 or against the Chief Executive under rule 6.10.1, the Board was advised that members consider themselves constrained both as a result of the requirement to pay a deposit with the complaint, as well as the risk of being issued with a fine in terms of rules 6.9.4 or 6.10.3 if the complaint is considered unwarranted. 

General Notice
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  1. A general notice dated 18 June 2021 communicated to members that on 10 June 2021 the National Board of the NHA (“Board”) received a written requisition signed by not less than 100 members to call a Special General Meeting (“SGM”) in terms of clause 13 of the Constitution. According to the requisition, the object of the SGM is to consider, and if deemed fit, approve the amendment of the Constitution in order to reconstitute the Board and to remove all references to the office of the Racing Control Executive. 

General Notice
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Dear Member 

I write in reference to the SANTA media release dated Sunday, 25th July. 

The media release attacks the NHA in relation to its handling of positive findings of prohibited substances and casts aspersions on the NHA, its Board and Management.  This attempt to discredit racing, the NHA, Board and  Management cannot be allowed to go without comment from me as Chair of the NHA.

General Notice
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Dear NHA Member 

On 15 June 2021 the National Board resolved to call a Special General Meeting (“SGM”) to be held on 1 September 2021, for purposes of discussing and voting on proposed amendments to the Constitution of the NHA. The Board will in due course give notice of the SGM in terms of clause 12.3 of the Constitution. 

  1. NOTICE OF A RESOLUTION TO CALL A SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2021
  2. Delayed Start Of African Horse Sickness Vaccination Period In The Controlled Area
  3. NOTICE OF THE 139TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
  4. Preliminary Notice of Annual General Meeting