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Christian van der Merwe
31st March 2025
Bortz – On South African Horseracing’s Past, Present And The Future
Long may constructive dialogue continue > BRAVO Joao We're not always fully aligned in our thinking and it will be boring if we do. I was very impressed with how you handled the podcast. I was unjustifiably concerned that it might not go as well as what it did.
I'll buy you a beer/cup-of-tea when next we're at the same race
Geoff Logan
31st March 2025
Hollywoodbets Durbanville Protest – Jockeys Issue Statement
Excellent response from the jockeys. Well, done.
I listened to an hour-long podcast, this morning, hosted by Joao Da Mata chatting to Greg Bortz. It was worth every minute. I highly recommend that you listen to it.. You will find it under Glistian
Christian van der Merwe
31st March 2025
Hollywoodbets Durbanville Protest – Jockeys Issue Statement
Agree
Christian van der Merwe
31st March 2025
Hollywoodbets Durbanville Protest – Jockeys Issue Statement
Kudos to the Coastal Jockey's association. Despite being upset (to put it mildly) with what happened I applaud you for this and hope your preceived and real concerns will be adequately addressed through the relevant forums (mentioned) going forward.
You should also consider employing the services of a non-riding representative to represent you in the
Beverley Hibbert
31st March 2025
Hollywoodbets Durbanville Protest – Jockeys Issue Statement
Someone very aptly pointed out that while 2 race meetings have been cancelled in the WC, the jockeys are all still eligible to ride elsewhere in the country. So, that actually means that the owners/syndicate members/trainers are being punished for this. While I have sympathy with the jockeys and what when down, why must the owners be punished? All these jockeys should have faced stand-down until this was resolved, but they get to go off and ride and earn and the horses who were meant to run on this Wed and the 2 cancelled race meets don't get to potentially
Martin le Roux
31st March 2025
Hollywoodbets Durbanville Protest – Jockeys Issue Statement
Well done the Cape Jockeys and the influence of Greg
Charl Pretorius
31st March 2025
Bortz – On South African Horseracing’s Past, Present And The Future
Christian, let me start by awarding you two stars you can proudly display on your forehead, you have definitely scored points there with some people! Choop. There you go! Not the full five stars, however.
If you bothered to read my comments instead of responding for a quick 2/5 - you'd see very clearly that I am not suggesting stealing of money under the current CEO, although it is fairly common knowledge that the previous individual in this position was a disgrace.
Put a pair of spectacles on, sir, and read what is clearly stated above: "It’s about dishonesty, abuse of power, cronyism, and institutional rot. When an organisation lacks transparency, silences critics, or twists the rules to serve its own interests, it erodes integrity and trust."
If you want me to draw up a list of issues significantly longer than your bonus point portfolio, pay me for my time and I shall do
joao da mata
31st March 2025
Bortz – On South African Horseracing’s Past, Present And The Future
thank
joao da mata
31st March 2025
Bortz – On South African Horseracing’s Past, Present And The Future
To be honest, the corruption discussed is more to do with social media posts that default to " one stripe got beat because of corruption" " racing is corrupt the tractor never moved"
Having said that, I do agree with Charl that any abuse of power is not conducive to resolution, same as silencing a critic.
Overall, ive just been the lucky guy to do the podcast and now we are on a roll.
I can state that I have had over 40 personal messages from jockeys to breeders and overall they are happy this happened.
So all I can hope for is that we actually hit such a low point last week that the only way is up.
With that I leave you with
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjD3EVC1-zU
long may constructive dialogue
Stephen Carter
31st March 2025
Hollywoodbets Durbanville Protest – Jockeys Issue Statement
Excellent. Hopefully, the issues can now be resolved
Savas Pastellides
31st March 2025
Hollywoodbets Durbanville Protest – Jockeys Issue Statement
Just shows you they don't think further than their nose, punishment should be given to all of them, this game is not run by jockey's only they contribute very little if anything back to the industry, very shameful what has happened this leaves a bad taste in this industry jockeys have not got the best reputation as it stands hope it gets sorted out and never happens
Christian van der Merwe
31st March 2025
Bortz – On South African Horseracing’s Past, Present And The Future
Charl you left three crucial words out of your definition/interpretation namely "for private gain" So who's the individual you believe is personally gaining from the so called corruption and how do you propose this is happening?
You might as well go all the way seeing that you bravely put it out
Terry van der Poel
31st March 2025
Bortz – On South African Horseracing’s Past, Present And The Future
Well clarified Charl. Indeed it seems that the NHA are not answerable to anyone within their Jurisdiction and as such, maybe the time has come where the Gambling Board or Government are called upon to appoint a Commission to investigate and obtain answers to the continuous flow of questions that seem to fall on deaf ears. One is not accusing the NHA of any wrongdoing, however if we want to improve the image of horseracing in our Country we need a certain degree of transparency on the part of the
Martin shai
31st March 2025
Hollywoodbets Durbanville Protest – Jockeys Issue Statement
Well done to the coastal jockeys association, an apology is appropriate and shows maturity in these
Bertie Dobrin
31st March 2025
Bortz – On South African Horseracing’s Past, Present And The Future
U correct until kenilworth race course decided to charge on course bookies R350000 to stand on course up from +-R72000
Per year.absolute
Christian van der Merwe
31st March 2025
Bortz – On South African Horseracing’s Past, Present And The Future
I'm very much looking forward to the follow up podcast given the value and enjoyment I derived from the first one. It was very good and stimulating
Christian van der Merwe
31st March 2025
Bortz – On South African Horseracing’s Past, Present And The Future
Joao what you suggest with regards to rehabilitation/community service has a lot of merit and is certainly worth consideration. I'm all for it IF it will change behaviour but must still get my mind around implimentation. I.o.w I haven't thought it through properly in my own mind.
As for fines (in isolation) my first reaction is that it should be proportionate to the purse
As for whipping this is where the softy (believe it or not) in me comes out. I ALWAYS ask the rider in the parade ring. "Please don't hit her/him hard or at all" Granted I have no idea how sore it is but if horses shy away from the whip surely they don't enjoy it? I'm all for riding without a crop but simultaneously admit my ignorance in this
Brian lindenberg
31st March 2025
Beach Bomb Is Loving South Florida!
Great win BEACH BOMB.S.A.horses are slowly being noticed abroad I think.Congratulations and well done DRAKENSTEIN STUD.Awaiting GIMME a NOTHER ...exciting
Mendelson James
31st March 2025
Bortz – On South African Horseracing’s Past, Present And The Future
Great Podcast which put things into perspective on many fronts. My question has owners become collateral damage in this saga, as Mr. Bortz alluded to the cancellation of race meetings was by and large to punish the jockeys for their actions. What happens to the horses nominated to race & who could have earned at those cancelled meetings. Do the owners get a rebate on training fees curtsey of Cape Racing? A fragile eco-system made even more
Ricky pillay
31st March 2025
Proactive Stipes Review Champions Day Photo-Finish
I think muzi yeni got robbed and also with royal victory if was Craig zackey it with gone they
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