The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an inquiry held in Johannesburg on 7 February 2020, Trainer Grant J Maroun was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.18 in that he addressed the Senior Handicapper of the NHA in an abusive and intimidatory manner on 29 October 2019. 

Mr Maroun pleaded guilty to the charge. 

The Inquiry Board found Mr Maroun guilty of the charge and imposed a penalty of a fine of R10 000-00, of which R5 000-00 is wholly suspended for a period of twenty-four (24) months, provided that during the period of suspension he is not found guilty of a contravention of Rule 72.1.18. 

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

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Cape Town on 3 February 2020, Jockey Aldo Domeyer was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7.  The particulars being that as the rider of FABIAN, he caused interference to HUDOO MAGIC when he directed his mount outwards at the 250m in Race 8 at Kenilworth Racecourse on 25 January 2020. 

Jockey Domeyer pleaded guilty to the charge. 

The Inquiry Board found Jockey Domeyer guilty of the charge and after considering the degree of interference, his riding record and all mitigating factors, imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of 10 days. 

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

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Port Elizabeth on 31 January 2020, Jockey Xolane Ndlovu was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7.  The particulars being that as the rider of ELUSIVE DIVA, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to DUKE OF CARDS at approximately the 200m in Race 8 at Fairview Racecourse on 17 January 2020. 

Jockey Ndlovu pleaded guilty to the charge. 

The Inquiry Board found Jockey Ndlovu guilty of the charge and imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of seven (7) days. 

Jockey Ndlovu waived his Right of Appeal and permission was granted for him to take his suspension from 1 February 2020 to 7 February 2020, both days inclusive.

At an inquiry held in Durban on 16 January 2020, Apprentice Jockey Khanya Sakayi was charged with a contravention of Rule 21.11. The particulars being that as the rider of SONG OF THE FOREST, he failed to ensure that this filly carried the correct weight during the running of the race, by weighing in at more than 0.5 kg below the weight at which he was declared out at in Race 2 at Greyville Racecourse on 29 December 2019. This resulted in SONG OF THE FOREST being disqualified following an objection lodged by the Clerk of Scales being upheld. 

Apprentice Jockey Sakayi pleaded guilty to the charge. 

The Inquiry Board found Apprentice Jockey Sakayi guilty of the charge.  After considering all the evidence, which included the finishing position of SONG OF THE FOREST, the extent of the underweight, the period remaining of his apprenticeship and that this was his second offence of this nature, the Inquiry Board imposed a penalty of a fine of R5000, as well as a suspension from riding in races for a period 14 days. The suspension is wholly suspended for a period of 24 months, on condition that he is not found guilty of a similar contravention during this period. 

Apprentice Jockey Sakayi has the Right of Appeal against the severity of the penalty imposed.

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Durban on 16 January 2020, Apprentice Jockey Joshwin Solomons was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.3, in that he failed to ride BLEU ROYALE out to the end of the race, thereby prejudicing his chances of obtaining 2^nd position in Race 1 at Scottsville Racecourse on 5 January 2020. 

Apprentice Jockey Solomons pleaded guilty to the charge. 

The Inquiry Board found Apprentice Jockey Solomons guilty of the charge. After considering all the facts and that this was his first offence of this nature, imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of twenty one (21) days. 

Apprentice Jockey Solomons has the Right of Appeal against the severity of the penalty imposed.

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Port Elizabeth on 20 December 2019, Jockey Richard Fourie was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M), in that he struck the horse OVER COUNT more than 12 times in the entire race, in Race 2 at Fairview Racecourse on 27 October 2019. 

Jockey Fourie pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty of the charge. 

Jockey Fourie was also charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.40, read in conjunction with Rule 72.1.42. 

The particulars being that he conducted himself in an unbecoming and unprofessional manner in the Stipendiary Stewards Boardroom and then dismissed himself without leave to do so at Fairview Racecourse on 27 October 2019. 

Jockey Fourie pleaded not guilty to the charge, but after consideration of all the relevant evidence, he was found guilty as charged. 

The Inquiry Board, after considering all the evidence, Mr Fourie’s record and all other pertinent factors, ruled that Mr Fourie be (A) fined R1000.00 in relation to the Rule 58 contravention and (B) be suspended from riding in races for a period of fourteen (14) days in relation to the Rule 72 contravention.   

Jockey Fourie was afforded the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed in relation to the contravention of Rule 58.10.2 and the right of appeal against the finding and penalty in relation to the contravention of Rules 72.1.40 and 72.1.42.