To All NHA Members
In accordance with the Constitution, my first year as Chairperson came to an end with the 139th Annual General Meeting, which took place on 13 January 2021. I am greatly honoured that the National Board have re-appointed me for a second year.
The AGM also marked the completion of the terms of office of Mr Ken Truter and Mr Robin Bruss. Mr Truter has kindly made himself available for re-appointment. Mr Bruss has served many years in turbulent times on the National Board and now feels it is time for other priorities. His encyclopaedical knowledge of racing operations has been invaluable and I thank him for his many contributions over the years.
At the end of this difficult year, I am most grateful to my fellow Directors of the NHA for their support, guidance and contributions. Thank you to the Management and Staff of the NHA for all their hard work, loyalty and dedication under extremely difficult and stressful circumstances.
I have been reflecting over the past year which, for all of us, has been quite extraordinary. For the racing industry, the darkest days were in the time of no racing from late March to 1 June. However, those were also the days of a rarely united industry. Everyone pulled together to help each other, to care for the horses and to focus on one objective – to get racing started. The NHA played its part with welfare checks, protocols, liaison, co-ordination, starting stalls etc. Trainers, Stable Employees, Grooms took exemplary care of the horses and continued the training. The Jockeys rode work and kept fit. The Operators maintained the tracks and racecourses. The Owners held on loyally. Thanks to all those efforts from everyone, racing could start immediately it was possible to do so – the protocols were ready, the racecourses were ready, the horses were fit, the Jockeys were ready. Looking back, that was a massive concerted effort and thanks are due to everyone for playing their part.
Racing is a large industry with many participants who all have their own difficulties. It is natural for participants to think first and foremost about what is best for them, but I urge all participants to also try to see the big picture of the whole industry and the world outside it. Understandably there is frustration with participants not being allowed on track, but the “Racing behind Closed Doors” protocols, based on international best practice, are there to ensure the continuation of racing and thereby its sustainability. All participants need to work together, observe protocols and be united so that racing can pull through the on-going challenges.
Looking forward, it is clear that so much of our future hopes depend on South Africa’s place in global racing. While export protocols are to be hoped for, the international earnings from commingling and the racing coverage are providing vital income for the industry. To safeguard the popularity of our racing on the international market, it is particularly important that we maintain international integrity standards and a crucial component of that is the specialised field of regulatory veterinary controls. The new appointment of internationally experienced Dr Thiago Luz as Chief Veterinary Officer of the NHA is very good for South Africa.
Thank you to everyone for their support of racing over the past year, and I wish you all the very best for 2021.
Kind Regards
Susan Rowett
Chairperson