David McGillivray
A former Racing Control Executive of the National Horseracing Authority of SA, and a man of many years experience in horseracing policing, David McGillivray has passed away.
The Sporting Post learnt of his passing early on Thursday morning.
Born in Mongu, Zambia, David Hugh McGillivray grew up in the country of his birth, as well as in Zimbabwe and Ireland. He was educated at Midleton College, County Cork, Ireland.
McGillivray first joined the NHRA, then known as the Jockey Club, in 1987 when taking up a position in Gqeberha before moving to Durban and then Johannesburg.
The Sporting Post reported in 1994 that David McGillivray, then chairman of the Gauteng stipendiary board, had cracked down on trainers taking liniments and suchlike into the security areas at racecourses. Jockey Club rules prohibited any substances being taken into the security areas and McGillivray warned that he intended to enforce the rule strictly after two trainers were found rubbing substances on their horses’ legs before races.
He took up a position in Malaysia in 1996 and returned for a stint in Cape Town in 2006, before going back to Malaysia in 2009.
His stipendiary roles in Malaysia and Singapore included the senior position of Professional Racing Steward.
He returned to South Africa in early 2013 and joined the NHRA Management team as Racing Control Executive on 1 March 2013
His earlier stints included spells as Chairman of both the Central Provinces and the Western Cape Stipendiary Boards.
McGillivray proved an innovative breath of fresh air introducing numerous controls and adding impetus to service delivery in various areas at the NHRA.
We recall that he was also a refreshingly transparent source of information for the media – an area in which the NHRA had never covered itself in glory to that point.
He eventually resigned from his position here as Racing Executive in January 2015, before departing again for overseas.
David McGillivray held the position of Chief Stipendiary Steward, PNTC & PRTC, at the Malayan Racing Association.
The Sporting Post extends condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.
Further news to follow.
