Racing body’s image boost

Mike Moon

The Racing Association (RA) has handed out more than R3.8 million to trainers under severe financial strain from the suspension of racing under lockdown. The RA, whose remit is to protect the ethos of racing and look after the interests of owners, has come in for much criticism in recent years – for being opaque and ineffectual, particularly during the Markus Jooste era when the now-disgraced tycoon held sway in the game.

News that the organisation has given 91 trainers in four provinces R1 000 for each needy horse in their care for the month of May, has instantly polished the RA’s image.

Horse racing, the sport of kings, carries an image of great wealth and, indeed, some rich people do own horses. But there are also many not-so-rich individuals who have horses in training by the skin of their teeth, scrimping, scraping and praying for the odd bit of prize money to feed their love of the game and their horses.

These are the horses now at risk – with no prize money being distributed and the owners possibly losing work and income. Trainers can’t afford to keep, feed and groom horses without being paid to do so.

Top trainer Mike de Kock has warned of the horror of “mass euthanasia” if racing isn’t allowed to start again soon.

The monthly keep-fee for one horse runs from about R3 500 to R10 000, depending on the trainer’s status. So, R1 000 isn’t a solution to the problem, but it might buy a little time for a few animals.

Theoretically, the RA still has several million available to boost stakes for horses that come out bushy-tailed after their “holidays”, should racing resume on 1 June as hoped.

The RA has also given racehorse grooms around the country R220 000 for sanitizers, masks, thermometers and transport and food subsidies – over and above their normal wages.

Self-help is happening; what’s now badly needed is state help – in the form of a little signature on a bit of paper saying racing can resume. –