The National Horseracing Authority confirms that an Inquiry was finalised at its offices at Turffontein Racecourse on 5 June 2019.

1. Charge One: Trainer Mrs S Miller was charged with a contravention of Rule 73.2.2, as read with Rule 73.4.4 and Rule 74.1, in that:
1.1 Mrs Miller is the trainer of the horse BONGO DANCE, which is a gelding;
1.2 BONGO DANCE was due to run and, in fact ran in the 6th race at the Flamingo Park Racecourse on 12 November 2018;
1.3 Prior to the race a specimen was taken from the horse BONGO DANCE;
1.4 Upon analysis the specimen was found to contain testosterone at a level of 218.81 picograms per millilitre of plasma, which is in excess of the accepted threshold of 100 picograms per millilitre of plasma;
1.5 Testosterone is a forbidden substance and also a prohibited substance.

2. Charge Two: Mrs S Miller was charged with a contravention of Rule 10.5.16, as read with Rule 10.5.15.6, Rule 74.1 and Rule 71.1, in that:
2.1 Mrs Miller is a trainer licenced by the NHA;
2.2 Mrs Miller operates a racing stable at Flamingo Park Racecourse;
2.3 On 12 December 2018, at the aforesaid stables, certain needles were seized by officials of the NHA;
2.4 Upon analysis the needles were found to contain testosterone;
2.5 Testosterone is a forbidden substance.

Mrs Miller pleaded not guilty to both charges, but was found guilty on both charges.
In respect of Charge One, the Inquiry Board imposed a penalty of a fine of R150 000 (One hundred and fifty thousand rand). Furthermore, BONGO DANCE is disqualified in terms of Rule 72.3.2, and the conditions of Rule 67.7.8 shall apply.

In respect of Charge Two, the Inquiry Board imposed a penalty of a fine of R50 000 (Fifty thousand rand).

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Cape Town on 26 July 2019, Apprentice Sandile Mbhele was charged with a contravention of Rule 77.1.1 read with Rule 77.2.11, in that as a Licenced Apprentice, a urine sample submitted by him at the Kenilworth Race Meeting on 24 April 2019, disclosed upon analysis the presence of a banned substance, namely Furosemide.

Apprentice S Mbhele, assisted by Riding Master T Welch, pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Inquiry Board accepted his plea and found Apprentice Mbhele guilty as charged. After considering all evidence led at this Inquiry, in particular the extensive mitigating evidence advanced, his record with regard to banned substances and precedent penalties for this particular banned substance, the Inquiry Board imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of 14 days. Furthermore, the Inquiry Board restricted Apprentice Mbhele to a 51kg nett riding weight, which is effective following his last engagement as published in the official race card. His weight will be monitored in future.

Apprentice S Mbhele was given the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed.

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Durban on Thursday, 25 July 2019, Trainer Mr J Ramsden was charged with a contravention of NHA Rules 72.1.18 and 72.1.26.

Rule 72.1.18 – in that he swore at a licensed official in the saddling area at Greyville Racecourse during the official public gallop of the Vodacom Durban July runners on 27 June 2019.

Trainer Ramsden pleaded guilty to a contravention of Rule 72.1.18

And

Rule 72.1.26 – in that during live coverage and in a public place, he drew two barrier positions namely 17 and 13 and threw them on the floor at the official Vodacom Durban July function held at Gateway Shopping Centre on 25 June 2019.

Trainer Ramsden pleaded not guilty to a contravention of Rule 72.1.26

The Inquiry Board found Mr Ramsden guilty of both charges and imposed the following penalties;

In respect of charge one (Rule 72.1.18) Trainer Ramsden was fined the sum of R8000 of which R4000 is wholly suspended for a period of twelve months provided that he is not found guilty of contravening similar or related conduct Rules during that period.

In respect of charge two (Rule 72.1.26) Trainer Ramsden was fined the sum of R20 000 which is wholly suspended for twelve months provided that during that period, he is not found guilty of contravening similar or related conduct Rules.

Trainer Ramsden has the Right of Appeal against the penalty in respect of Rule 72.1.18 and against the finding and the penalty in respect of Rule 72.1.26.

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Port Elizabeth on Friday 19 July 2019, Jockey Ashby was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.3, in that he failed to ride OKAVANGO DELTA out to the end of the race, thereby prejudicing his chances of obtaining third position, in the 6th Race at Fairview Racecourse on 12 July 2019.

Mr Ashby pleaded not guilty to the charge, however the Inquiry Board found Mr Ashby guilty and imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of fourteen (14) days.

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

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held at the Flamingo Park Racecourse on Wednesday, 17 July 2019, Jockey E Webber was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.25, in that he misbehaved himself by using vulgar language in relation to a licenced trainer at the Flamingo Park Racecourse on Wednesday 26 June 2019.

Jockey Webber pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Inquiry Board having considered the particulars of this incident found Mr Webber guilty and felt that an appropriate penalty was that Jockey Webber be fined the sum of R5000.

The Board also noted that Jockey Webber was found guilty of a contravention of Rule 72.1.25 on 17 May 2019 and was fined the sum of R10 000 of which R5000 was wholly suspended for a period of one year on condition that he was not found guilty of contravening Rules relating to conduct during this period. The suspended portion of this penalty (R5000) therefore becomes effective in addition to the penalty meted out today.

He has the right of appeal against both the finding and the penalty imposed.

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 3 July 2019, owner Mr Arrie van Schalkwyk

was charged with a contravention of NHA Rules 72.1.24 and 72.1.18.  The particulars being:

In that he participated as an owner, in a racemeeting on 27 April 2019, which was not authorised by the National Board, in contravention of Rule 72.1.24.

Mr van Schalkwyk pleaded guilty to the charge.

And : -

In that during a stable inspection on his farm on 2 May 2019, he swore at and intimidated two licensed officials, which prevented them from carrying out their duties in contravention of Rule 72.1.18.

Mr van Schalkwyk pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Inquiry Board found Mr van Schalkwyk guilty of both charges and imposed the following penalties;

In respect of charge one (Rule 72.1.24) Mr van Schalkwyk was fined the sum of R20 000.

In respect of charge two (Rule 72.1.18) Mr van Schalkwyk was fined the sum of R20 000 of which R10 000 is wholly suspended for one year

provided that during that period, he is not found guilty of a contravention of Rule 72.1.18.

Mr van Schalkwyk has the Right of Appeal against the penalties imposed.