INQUIRY – STABLE EMPLOYEE MR ANDREW C FORTUNE

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on 31 August and 1 September 2022, Stable Employee Mr Andrew Fortune was charged with the following contraventions of the Rules of the NHA:-

1. Rule 72.1.42 – in that he conducted himself in an improper, disrespectful, or abusive manner during a hearing held at the Head Office of the NHA on 27 May 2020.

The Inquiry Board was informed that Mr Fortune elected to sign an Admission of Guilt before the commencement of the Inquiry, and he was fined the sum of R15 000.

2. Rule 72.1.25 – in that he conducted himself in an improper manner at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday, 3 July 2021 by swearing at and assaulting a member of the South African Police Services.

Mr Fortune pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty of the charge.

The Inquiry Board, after hearing the evidence, ruled that Mr Fortune be warned off from all activity in the horse racing industry, including, but not limited to being employed therein. This sanction is wholly suspended for a period of five years on condition that Mr Fortune is not found guilty of any offence involving a breach of Rule 72.1.25 during that period. In addition, a fine of R20 000 was imposed.

The Inquiry Board considered a suspended penalty from a separate Inquiry that was finalised on 11 January 2021, where Mr Fortune was found guilty of a contravention of Rule 72.1.25 after an assault on Jockey Gavin Lerena at Turffontein Racecourse on 24 October 2020. He was fined R20 000, R10 000 of which was suspended for a period of 24 months on condition that he was not found guilty of a similar offence during the period. The suspended portion of this penalty (R10 000) is activated and is payable, in addition to the penalty imposed of a R20 000 fine in charge two.

3. Mr Fortune was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.18, as read with Rule 71.3, in that he attempted to intimidate Mr Mbulelo Maliti, a licensed official of the NHA.

Mr Fortune pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty of the charge.

In this instance, the Inquiry Board ruled that Mr Fortune be warned off from all activity in the horse racing industry, including, but not limited to being employed therein. This sanction is wholly suspended for a period of five years on condition that Mr Fortune is not found guilty of any offence involving a breach of Rule 72.1.18 during that period. In addition, a fine of R20 000 was imposed.

Mr Fortune was given the Right of Appeal against the findings and penalties pertaining to 2 and 3 above.

The interim suspension imposed on Mr Fortune by the Chief Executive and Racing Control Executive in terms of the provisions of Rule 91.2 has been lifted with immediate effect.

NHA release

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