No NHA rules were broken

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that it has concluded its investigation into two racehorses, namely Wavin’ Flag and Maximum Flo, who were stolen from a re-homing centre in Cape Town.

The facts of the investigation can be set out briefly as follows:

The horses in question were being cared for at the Thoroughbred Horses Rehoming Centre in Hyjo Farm, Philippi, Cape Town (the “rehoming centre”).

During this time, the condition and care that the horses were being given was more than satisfactory.

On 12 April 2017, it was discovered that the fence to the paddock of the horses had been infiltrated and the horses stolen.

The rehoming centre launched an immediate search and with the assistance of an owner-sponsored helicopter, on 14 April 2017, the horses were found, returned to the rehoming centre and immediately treated as their condition had deteriorated.

While Wavin’ Flag survived the ordeal, Maximum Flo unfortunately had to be euthanised due to the injuries which he had suffered.

In light of the facts of the above investigation, it is evident that the condition of both Wavin’ Flag and Maximum Flo had only deteriorated after the horses had been stolen from the rehoming centre and that the horses were in fact being well cared for by the rehoming centre.

This incident is best described as an act of criminality,However, this act exists parallel to the NHA rules, of which there have been no contraventions.

It is our opinion that the horses were being well looked after, therefore the owners had not contravened any rules.