APPEAL – TRAINER JUAN NEL

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that an Appeal was heard at its offices in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 21 September 2022.

Background

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Gqeberha on Thursday, 2 June 2022, Trainer Juan Nel was charged with a contravention of NHA Rule 72.1.44. The particulars being that he fired an air gun at a Stipendiary Steward at a Service Station near to Fairview Racecourse on Friday 6 May 2022, which resulted in a leg injury to the Official.

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

The Inquiry Board regarded this as a very serious offence and as such imposed the following sanction:

- Mr Nel’s privilege as a Trainer was cancelled, this cancellation is suspended for a period of five years on condition that he is not found guilty of a similar offence within such period;

- A fine of R100 000 (one hundred thousand Rand).

Mr Nel was given the Right of Appeal against the finding and the penalty imposed.

The Interim suspension imposed on Trainer Nel regarding his entering and declaring of horses has been lifted with immediate effect.

The Appeal Board, after considering the Inquiry record, the Grounds of Appeal and the response thereto, as well as the arguments made by Mr Nel and The National Horseracing Authority, was of the view that;

1. The attack on the NHA Official was unwarranted and disrespectful, and that he has suffered humiliation as a result of this incident.

2. The actions of Mr Nel, has had the effect of bringing the name of the NHA into disrepute.

3. The Appeal Board ruled that the Inquiry Board’s finding and the penalty imposed be upheld, but that R30 000 of the R100 000 fine be suspended for five years, on condition that Mr Nel is not found guilty of a contravention of a similar charge during this period.

Mr Nel’s Appeal fee was declared to be forfeited.

NHA Release

Image Pauline Herman