Tony Peter – concerned in a hostile environment (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Efforts by trainer Tony Peter to have specimens taken from his horses split into three individual samples, instead of the standard two, have been rejected by the National Horseracing Authority.
Given the current strained relationship between the Peter family and the racing regulator in an environment of substantially increased surveillance of the stable, the Peters have informed the Sporting Post that they have considered all prudent measures to reduce their own vulnerability.
“We requested the NHA to afford us the opportunity of securing our own sample, at our cost if necessary, of any specimen taken from our horses. The NHA usually split the sample in two, retaining the one and having the other tested. We are not making any accusations – this was a suggestion to afford us a measure of increased protection, and possible recourse, in the current climate,” said Paul Peter.
In a response via Attorney Ulrich Roux, Tony Peter was informed that the rules, which have been developed over many years, ‘are specific’.
Mr Roux writes that the NHA does not consider it necessary to create a special arrangement for any trainer, that would effectively be ultra vires the rules. They reaffirm that Mr Peter is bound by the rules, as are all trainers.
It is also pointed out to Mr Peter that as he has commenced litigation against the NHA, it is inappropriate that he engages in direct communications with the regulator. He is requested to direct all future communications via his attorney of record, to the NHA lawyers.
A summons of an industry record R70 million was served on Tuesday 12 December 2023 on the NHA and Racing Control Executive Arnold Hyde.
Three individual claims were listed, including damages arising from withdrawals from a racemeeting on 27 July, following Out of Competition specimen collection that took place at Randjesfontein Training Centre and Turffontein Racecourse on 24 July 2023.
The second claim relates to the unprecedented scratching of the Tony Peter runners on the morning of the Betway Summer Cup, while the third claim relates to comments allegedly made by NHA Racing Control Executive Arnold Hyde in a televised interview on the same day.
