Norval era comes to an end

STIPENDIARY steward Tarquin Norval, a former handicapper and racing journalist, bows out tomorrow after spending his entire working life involved in racing.

Norval,61, said yesterday: “I am going a year or two earlier than I would have wanted but I opted for this. There are retrenchments at the NHA and they gave me a package.

“I am now going to have to get used to the idea of not working and I know this is something that will be completely foreign to me.”

His first job, starting in September 1977, was with the Natal Mercury and he was assistant racing editor with the Daily News before being transferred to the Cape Argus.

In 1984 he switched direction to become an assistant handicapper with the two Western Province Racing Clubs before being appointed a stipe some 20 years ago.

He said: “I am proud of being part of South African racing in its golden years. In those days racing was huge and racecourses were packed whereas today, sadly, the interest seems to be lacking.”

Norval intends keeping up his endurance activities with mountain running. He is a veteran of 15 Two Oceans half-marathons and 18 Cape Argus cycle races.

Also retiring tomorrow is fellow official Steve Naude,62, who has been an investigating officer for the past 30 years.