“If I have Greeff’s job, I win the championship.” The words of the high-riding Sean Veale after the Sporting Post-sponsored rider booted Fire Tonic home at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday for Summerveld trainer Sean Ferrie to register his 18th winner of the new season and a hold on to the pressured number 1 spot on the national jockey’s log.
Determination is etched on Sean Veale’s face as he gets Fire Tonic home in a close finish (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
After another 3 winners for the powerful Alan Greeff yard at Fairview on Friday, Veale took his overall tally to 18, off a 22% win strike-rate.
Muzi Yeni also grabbed a Hollywoodbets Scottsville winner to take his tally to 14.
In Gqeberha, where it’s popularly thought that the national championship can be won or lost, Veale has ridden 10 of his winners for Greeff off a very decent 38,46% win strike-rate!
Reigning champion Richard Fourie was at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday to receive his Cape champion jockey accolade, and confirmed that he had suggested Sean Veale as the right man for the big job in Gqeberha.
Friday was not all wine and roses for Veale though after he was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop). He was deemed to have misused his crop by striking the eventual fifth placer Breede Baby 15 times – the limit is 12- which was not warranted when considering the circumstances of the race. He signed an admission of guilt and was fined R7 500.
In other policing news from Nelson Mandela Bay racing HQ, Veale’s colleague Eldin Webber had an inquiry opened after he was charged with a contravention of Rule 23.1, read with Appendix H1 on Riders’ insurance in that he participated in a race meeting on 29 July 2024 without adequate insurance cover.
Webber signed an admission of guilt and was fined R10 000, of which R5 000 was wholly suspended for a period of one year.
The NHRA also advised having opened an investigation into the number of epistaxis cases from Trainer Kelly Mitchley’s stable yard over the recent past.
NHA officials and veterinarians conducted an on-site investigation to identify potential causes.
Trainer Mitchley was interviewed and advised to collaborate closely with her veterinarian to mitigate any potential risk factors. The NHA is committed to rider safety, horse welfare and the integrity of races and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Trainer Mitchley reported that she had a virus in her stable yard. The horses have received veterinary treatment and she is monitoring the situation, in conjunction with her private veterinarian.
Read more about epistaxis here.
There is no local racing on Monday this week, but a double-header on Wednesday – the same day that the four-day York Ebor Festival starts. Probably not ideal in terms of programming, but the weather has been a factor in the Cape, particularly, having to play catch-up.
The Vaal first is off at 12h25 on Tuesday.
