The National Horseracing Authority confirms that a disciplinary hearing took place at its offices in Turffontein on Wednesday 8 September 2010. The hearing related to the start of Race 4 at the Vaal Racecourse on Thursday 26 August 2010. The Starter employed by the National Horseracing Authority was charged with unsatisfactory work performance in terms of The National Horseracing Authority’s disciplinary code, in that he failed to exercise proper care in the manner of discharge of his duties, resulting in the horses being loaded in, and starting from, the incorrect barrier draw positions.

The Starter pleaded guilty to the charge which was accepted by the Board.

The Board was of the view that, whilst there were a number of factors which contributed to the incorrect draw positions going undetected, it was the Starter who was ultimately responsible for ensuring that the horses were loaded into the correct starting stalls.

However, the Board felt that cognisance had to be taken of the nature and magnitude of the offence in question, in particular the impact on the racing and betting public, the owners and trainers of the horses in question, The National Horseracing Authority and its colour holders, and the general damage to the image of the industry both locally and abroad.

In mitigation however, the Board accepted that the Starter had taken responsibility, and demonstrated regret, for the incident. His clean record with regard to previous disciplinary matters of any nature was also taken into account. The Board was also of the view that this was an isolated incident which was unlikely to occur again.

In terms of the National Horseracing Authority’s Disciplinary Code, a penalty of a final written warning was imposed on the Starter.