Update Racing Behind Closed doors

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that, after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech of tonight, the status quo of the press release dated 28 June 2021 remains, with the exception of the below.

In the spirit of relaxations as announced by the President, the NHA has given careful consideration to the restrictions imposed on Rider travel which was detailed in its release on Monday, 28 June 2021. Riders have been required to elect their District of choice to ride and be domiciled in from Sunday, 4 July 2021.

Consideration has also been given to the climbing rate of Covid-19 infections and the possible negative consequences that this could have on the Horseracing Industry and its participants. Horseracing has been able to continue operating uninterrupted since 1 June 2020 and the NHA acknowledges the importance of being responsible and forging a balance of sustaining the industry and the well-being of all the people involved in it.

With this in mind, the NHA will permit its licensees which are in possession of the Essential Services Permit issued by the NHA to travel to other regions from Friday, 16 July 2021. These persons who elect to travel to other districts will be required to produce a Negative SARS-coV-2 (COVID-19) PCR test which is dated within 2 days of the person arriving in that district. This directive also applies to all NHA Officials that are travelling to other districts.

Proof of this test will need to be furnished to the office of the respective Chief Stipendiary Steward in the district concerned. Upon arrival they will have to be subjected to the normal screening protocols before taking up their riding engagements.

In saying the above, we urge all travelling Jockeys to be extra vigilant, as an outbreak in a Jockey’s room would have dire consequences to the continuation of horseracing nationally.

An update on the status will be provided after the President’s next address on 25 July 2021.