South African Jockeys Rapped on the Knuckles by NHA - 06-08-08

June 8 - At the beginning of this month in Cape Town, two South African jockeys faced disciplinary action when they appeared in front of a National Horseracing Authority (NHA) Board of Enquiry, after being charged with contravening NHA rules.

The first, well-known jockey, Andrew Fortune, was charged with contravening Rule 72.1.25. He was charged with verbally abusing and insulting an employee of racing operator, Gold Circle, on May 13th this year, ahead of his Race 1 ride at Durbanville Racecourse, in Cape Town.

Fortune pleaded not guilty in front of the NHA Board and was issued with a R5,000 fine, half of which was suspended on condition that he does not repeat the same offence (according to Rule 72.1.25) for a period of one year.

The second, leading jockey, Sean Veale, was charged with contravening Rule 62.2.7, after causing interference to two other horses while riding Harry's Mandolin in a recent race. The NHA Board of Inquiry accused Veale of 'showing no regard to the consequences of his actions that endangered Danish Love and Cordyline'.

During the race in question, the jockey shifted out at around the 300m mark, thereby constituting a source of interference and danger to the aforementioned horses.

After pleading guilty to the charges, the NHA Board issued Veale with a three week suspension, effectively preventing him from riding in or attending any race meetings for the duration.

Both jockeys have the right to appeal the penalties imposed.