Inquiry – Trainer Mr J S Rossouw
The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on 8 August 2012, adjourned and resumed and concluded on 5 September 2012, Mr J S Rossouw was charged with a contravention of Rule 73.2.4 in that he was the Trainer and the person responsible for the horse WHITEWATER RAFTING, which ran in the 5th race at the Flamingo Park Racecourse, Kimberley, on 21 May 2012, after which a urine specimen taken from this horse disclosed upon analysis the presence of Phenylbutazone which is a prohibited substance in terms of the Rules of The National Horseracing Authority.
Mr Rossouw pleaded not guilty but was found guilty of the charge.
There was no evidence that Mr Rossouw either administered or authorized the administration of these prohibited substances to the horse WHITEWATER RAFTING.
The Board acknowledged that whilst Mr Rossouw did not travel to Kimberley with WHITEWATER RAFTING and that whilst he had a third party transport the horse and represent him at the race meeting; in terms of strict liability, he was the person responsible for WHITEWATER RAFTING. In light of the above, the Board imposed a fine of R45 000,00 of which R20 000 is wholly suspended for a period of two years on condition that Mr Rossouw is not found guilty of contravening Rule 73.2.4 during that period.
Mr Rossouw has the right of appeal against the finding and the penalty imposed.
Furthermore, in terms of Rule 72.3.2 WHITEWATER RAFTING is disqualified from the 5th Race which was run at the Flamingo Park Racecourse on 21 May 2012.
