The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held at its offices at Turffontein on Friday, 3 September 2010 before Mr R J Bloomberg (Chairman), Jockeys Stephen Swanepoel, Marco van Rensburg, Andrew Fortune, Marthinus Mienie, Gunter Wrogemann and Fanie Chambers, and Jockeys Sherman Brown, Francois Naude and Felix Coetzee, in abstentia, and Apprentice Nevresh Juglall, duly assisted by the Gauteng Academy Riding Master, Mr Gary Waterston, were charged with a contravention of Rules 61.5.16 and 61.6.3.2 in that on Thursday, 26 August 2010 at the Vaal Racecourse and prior to the running of Race 4 they inadvertently loaded and jumped from the incorrect barrier draw positions.

Rule 61.5.16 states inter alia that “No rider shall take up a position at the start of a race other than that allotted“ or “take any undue advantage at the start”.

Rule 61.6.3.2 states inter alia that “Riders shall ride their horses into their correct stalls”.

Jockeys Swanepoel, van Rensburg, Fortune, Mienie, Wrogemann and Chambers all pleaded not guilty to the charge, but were found guilty by the Board. A plea of not guilty was entered on behalf of Jockeys Brown, Naude and Coetzee, but they were found guilty by the Board. Apprentice Juglall pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea to that of guilty, which was accepted by the Board.

In considering an appropriate penalty, the Inquiry Board was mindful of the fact that this was an isolated incident and highly unlikely to be repeated and that the riders concerned were embarrassed and remorseful as to what had transpired.

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.

Further hereto any penalty imposed had to ensure future due diligence and vigilance by the riders in a professional sport.

Accordingly the following penalty was implemented: a fine of R10 000,00 of which R8 000,00 is suspended for a period of two years.

Jockeys Swanepoel, van Rensburg, Fortune, Mienie, Wrogemann, Chambers, Brown, Naude and Coetzee have the right of appeal against both the finding and the penalty imposed.

Apprentice Juglall has the right of appeal against the penalty imposed.

A separate Inquiry will be held on Wednesday, 8 September 2010, in terms the Disciplinary Code of The National Horseracing Authority in the actions of the Starter in regard to this incident.