In the wake of the resignation of National Horseracing Authority CEO Lyndon Barends, longstanding Breeder Dr Marianne Thomson has called for various reassurances from the NHA board.
She writes in the Sporting Post Mailbag…
The NHA Website home page claims in Point 2 :” The objective is to govern the Sport with Integrity.”
Let’s not lose sight of that!
Now that Mr Lyndon Barends has fallen on his sword, the NHA Board must not think that they are free and clear.
We have no reply yet as to whether they were complicit or negligent at the time of Mr Barend’s appointment.
We have no explanation as to how and why Mr Barends was allowed to clear the NHA and the Stud Book in particular, of experienced staff, when he himself was brought in from outside the Industry.
We are now left with a grossly inefficient and malfunctioning Stud Book department.
Being a breeder I prioritise the Stud Book.
If the Stud Book does not work , there is a knock on effect to the Industry that is incalculable.
Can the NHA Board assure us stakeholders that Mr Barends will receive no severance payment until such time as a full financial audit has been completed.
If the board refuses an audit, what are they hiding ?
Can we also be assured that no member of the NHA board is a Phumelela shareholder.
Surely this would be a gross conflict of interest.
I await a public reassurance from “a voice from above”