Andrew Fortune – &$%#^% in trouble again
While common courtesy and professionalism dictates that swearing not be condoned in television interviews, the penalty meted out to Andrew Fortune for crossing the bad language barrier will set a precedent for jockey and trainer interviews on Tellytrack going ahead.
A visibly emotional and obviously elated Fortune was waxing lyrical in the ‘Champagne Haze’ of the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup, when he let slip with two expletives.
The fact of the matter is that Fortune is not alone on this front – and what makes swearing less acceptable than smutty innuendo on the part of Tellytrack announcers?
Fair enough, the racing operator’s personnel do not fall under the rules of the NHA – but what’s good for the goose and all that jazz, surely?
And to top it all, Dstv 239 is an ‘R18’ channel, too.
Considering that thousands of interviews are conducted every year on Tellytrack, the incidence of jockey swearing is virtually non existent and just not an item in a sport with more important issues to resolve.
And do we forget that jockeys are professional sportsmen, who have just come off the field after technically scoring a match-winning goal?
There is a human failing unscientifically called ‘heat of the moment’ exuberance – we have surely all been there – even once?
NHA Finding
The National Horseracing Authority confirms that an inquiry was held at its offices on Wednesday, 11 November 2015 into comments made in a post-race interview on Tellytrack by Jockey Andrew Fortune after winning the sixth race at Turffontein Racecourse on Saturday, 31 October 2015.
Mr Fortune was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.25, in that during a television interview on Tellytrack he conducted himself in an improper manner by swearing on two occasions during his interview.
He pleaded guilty to the charge.
The Board found him guilty and in determining a suitable penalty, the Board considered the evidence and mitigating factors presented by Mr Fortune and ruled that the appropriate penalty be that Mr Fortune be fined the sum of five thousand rand (R5000.00).
Mr Fortune has the right of appeal against the penalty imposed.
