In a unique situation, one that no one in modern South African history can recall, it was decided that the final race at Fairview on Friday was to be abandoned due to a protest lodged by the course Veterinary Surgeon against the extreme heat.

One of the most experienced people in racing authority  the NHA executive Arnold Hyde was on course, and explained the situation on Tellytrack.

“After the running of race eight the Veterinary surgeon lodged a protest regarding the welfare of the horses.

“It was to do with the extreme temperatures and humidity, the temperature off the top surface of the poly, and the fact that there is very little breeze.

“The welfare of the horse is always paramount, and the right decision was made” he concluded.

The decision is unprecedented as racing was neve likely cancelled in the history of the sport, the decision will surely have historians scrambling around for knowledge of this type of abandonment in the past.