The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held at its offices in Johannesburg on 28 August 2019, Trainer L J Erasmus (Jnr) was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.8.
This arose in that as a licensed Trainer, he accepted training fees for the horses PRESS MY BUTTON and GHOSTRIDER from a person that is not a registered Owner with The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa.
Trainer Erasmus (Jnr) pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty of the charge.
In determining a suitable penalty, the Inquiry Board took into account all evidence that was led at the inquiry and ruled that he be fined the sum of R20 000, of which R15 000 is wholly suspended for a period of one year, on condition that he is not found guilty of a contravention of this Rule during that period.
Trainer Erasmus (Jnr) has the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed.
Ed – from the rule book::
72 SPECIFIC OFFENCES (PROHIBITED PRACTICES)
72.1 CONTRAVENTIONS
Without in any way derogating from the provisions of the RULES, no PERSON shall:-
72.1.8 – subject to the provisions of RULE 50.5, accept payment of any training fee and/or charges,in whole or in part, in respect of any HORSE entered for, or run in a RACE from any PERSON other than the PERSON in whose name the HORSE has been entered to run, or the SPOUSE of such PERSON, or his agent;
50.5 Says:
Subject to the proviso contained in RULE 41.1 and save as set out below, no HORSE shall be entered or run in the name of any PERSON unless that PERSON is the OWNER of such HORSE. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in this RULE, a HORSE which is sold with engagements may run in the name of its previous OWNER for such engagements only provided such change of OWNERSHIP has been notified to the SB prior to the running of the RACE concerned and provided further that the seller of such HORSE shall assume and be liable for the performance of all obligations of an OWNER in respect of that HORSE and that such seller is a current holder of COLOURS.
