The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held on 19 March 2021, Jockey Gavin Lerena was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.40.  The particulars being that he failed to comply with a reasonable order from a Licensed Official, namely to refrain from riding work in a centre other than that in which he was domiciled at the time, as per NHA Covid-19 Protocols during that period.

Jockey Lerena pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Inquiry Board found Jockey Lerena guilty of the charge and after considering the mitigating factors presented, imposed a penalty of a fine of R5,000.00.

Jockey Lerena has the Right of Appeal against the finding and the penalty imposed.

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that an Appeal against the finding and the penalty imposed by an Inquiry Board upon Colour Holder and Stable Employee Mr Mark Sham, was heard on 12 March 2021. 

Background

At an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on 11 February 2020, Mr Mark Sham was charged with a contravention of Rules 72.1.25 and 72.1.26.   

The particulars being that he conducted himself in an improper manner on racecourse property, which might have had the effect of discrediting horseracing and which did or might have brought into disrepute the good name of the National Horseracing Authority on 15 January 2020 at the 138^th Annual General Meeting held at its offices at Turffontein Racecourse.  

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held at its offices in Cape Town on 11 March 2021, Jockey Devin Ashby was charged with a contravention of Rule 77.1.1 read with 77.2.8.  The particulars being that a urine sample submitted by him when he rode at the Kenilworth race meeting on 23 December 2020 disclosed, upon analysis, the presence of codeine in excess of 2000ng per millilitre and morphine (known metabolite of codeine), which are banned substances in terms of Rule 77.2.8. 

Mr Ashby pleaded guilty to and was found guilty of the charge. 

The Inquiry Board, in coming to a suitable penalty, took into consideration all evidence led and all mitigating factors, including that this was Mr Ashby’s first offence in his sixteen-year riding career regarding Rule 77.  A suspension from riding in races for a period of 28 days, 14 days of which are wholly suspended for 12 months, provided that during this period Mr Ashby is not found guilty of a contravention of Rule 77, was imposed. 

Mr Ashby has the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed.

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Durban on 10 March 2021, Jockey Raymond Danielson was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7.  The particulars being that as the rider of UMKHOMAZI, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to INDIGO MOON (L Ferraris) leaving the 200m in Race 3, at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on 3 March 2021. 

Mr Danielson pleaded not guilty to the charge.  However, the Inquiry Board found him guilty as charged. 

After considering all factors in mitigation, the Inquiry Board imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of seven days. 

Mr Danielson waived his right of appeal against the finding and the penalty imposed.  Permission was granted for him to take his suspension from 14 March 2021 to 20 March 2021, both dates inclusive.

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on 10 March 2021, Jockey Piere Strydom was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.2.  The particulars being that he failed to ride FORT ANNE, in a competent and professional manner when he struck Jockey Muzi Yeni, the Rider of NETTA, with his crop in the concluding stages of Race 4 at the Vaal Racecourse on 28 January 2021. 

Jockey Strydom pleaded not guilty to the charge. 

The Inquiry Board found Jockey Strydom guilty as charged and after considering all factors in mitigation, including the manner in which Jockey Yeni rode his horse at the time of this incident, imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of 10 (ten) days. 

Jockey Strydom waived his Right of Appeal against the finding and the penalty imposed and has been suspended for a period of ten (10) days with effect from 17 March to 26 March 2021, both dates inclusive.

 The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held at Kenilworth Racecourse on 13 February 2021, Jockey Anton Marcus was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7.  The particulars being that as the rider of WALK OF FAME he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to ALFRED’S GIRL at the 1100m in Race 5 at Kenilworth Racecourse on 6 February 2021.

Jockey Marcus pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Inquiry Board accepted his plea and found Jockey Marcus guilty.  After considering all the evidence, the Inquiry Board imposed a penalty of a suspension from in riding in races for a period of seven (7) days.

Jockey Marcus was given the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed.