Overview National Horseracing Authority

1 overview

1.1 rules , inquiries
1.2 licensing
1.3 breeding
1.4 jockey academy

overview

the main purpose of national horseracing authority summarised george pfaff, club s secretary in 1959. wrote:

main object of jockey club , principal occupation of stewards promote honourable practice , repress malpractices. 1 hears of racing scandals , intrigues. cry has been heard centuries. malpractice in racing occur - if did not there no need jockey club or officials. said crooks go racing not go racing crooks. ninety-five percent of trouble caused 5 percent of people engaged in it, , 5 per cent make noise .

the name jockey club misleading , causes confusion because not association jockeys, courageously, urge mounts towards finish. in 18th century, jockey referred managed, or had with, horses. in 1882 group of 10 influential racing men got in phoenix hotel in port elizabeth form organisation, disputes in connection various turf clubs might referred thereto, , decision became law . organisation became known jockey club, named after counterpart in united kingdom had been established 100 years earlier.

racing not controlled on national level on regional level and, in order exercise proper control, south africa divided 4 racing districts zimbabwe constituting fifth. in all, there 670 members responsible electing 11 head executive stewards head jockey club structure.

the existence of jockey club , multi-faceted control exercises on racing industry, coupled fact recognised internationally, heralds exciting , ethical future industry in south africa.

rules , inquiries

horse racing, other sport, governed comprehensive set of rules. these rules designed deal aspects of racing insuring horses cared serious malpractices doping. in order police these rules, jockey club employs number of stipendiary stewards, or stipes short. stipes present @ every race meeting , use sophisticated video equipment them pick incident might need investigating.

inquiries opened matter appears suspicious , if found guilty of breaking rules, stipes have power impose penalties ranging reprimand total ban racing. if person, found guilty of breaking rules, feels treated unfairly stipes, or can appeal appeal board. because appeal board independent body, can ensure fair play observed.

the jockey club has own laboratory tests specimens horses selected in every race. laboratory uses latest techniques , ultra-modern equipment wide diversity of drugs. screening of specimens successful people saying sensitive , picking minute quantities of drugs not possibly have had effect on horse!

licensing

an important part of control exercised jockey club licensing of jockeys, trainers , race meeting officials such starter, handicapper, clerk of scales, judge and, granting of colours qualifies own , race, horses.

computerised administrative records kept of on 270 trainers, 200 jockeys , apprentices, 9000 owners , 8000 horses in training. registrations department records on 10 000 renewals, changes of horse ownership s , leases each year.

breeding

the control exercised jockey club extends horse breeding industry well. before thoroughbred foal can recorded in jockey club s general stud book, mare owner, stallion owner, mare , stallion must have been registered before foal born. breeder must provide detailed information relating time mare covered, time foal born , identity of foal.

to remove doubt identity of foal laboratory @ onderstepoort blood types every foal , confirms parents claimed breeder. when millions of rands spent @ annual yearling sales, buyers can rest assured horse bought has pedigree paid.

jockey academy

the jockey club s role doesn t stop there, recruits , trains apprentice jockeys. original academy, founded in 1958, situated in house on berea – suburb of durban. in 1972, magnificent s jockeys academy designed well-known rugby player, tommy bedford, opened on 8.1 hectares (20 acres) of land adjacent summerveld. built cater 40 apprentices, number of apprentices determined needs of racing industry.

during 5 years apprentice, youngsters given comprehensive education taught necessary skills become competent rider. success of academy highlighted achievements of champion jockeys such michael roberts, jeffrey lloyd, felix coetzee, robbie sham , bartie liesher.