The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) confirms that the Inquiry into the incident involving Jockey Gavin Lerena (GIMME A STORM) and Jockey Jason Gates (BLURRED VISION) that commenced on 21 February 2025 and adjourned to 24 March 2025, was finalised yesterday.

 Jockey Gavin Lerena

Jockey Gavin Lerena was charged with the following contraventions of:

 1)        Rule 62.2.2 read with Rules 62.2.3 and 72.1.25

 In that he rode GIMME A STORM in an unprofessional manner by changing his riding style by stopping riding, standing up in the stirrup irons and striking Jockey Jason Gates across his back with his crop on at least two occasions in the running.

 Jockey Gavin Lerena entered a plea of guilty to contraventions of Rules 62.2.2 and 72.1.25 and not guilty to a contravention of Rule 62.2.3.

 2)        Rule 72.1.26

 In that as the rider of GIMME A STORM he behaved and conducted himself in a manner which has or might have the effect of discrediting horseracing, or which does or might bring into disrepute the good name of the NHA or relevant Racing Operator.

 Jockey Lerena entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of Rule 72.1.26.

 The Inquiry Board found Jockey Lerena guilty of the charges incorporating the contraventions and imposed the following penalties:

 1)        Jockey Lerena was suspended from riding in races for a period of ninety (90) days of which sixty (60) days is wholly suspended on condition that he is not found guilty of a contravention of these Rules for a period of two years.

 2)        Jockey Lerena was fined the amount of R200 000 of which R100 000 is suspended on condition that he is not found guilty of a contravention of Rule 72.1.26 for a period of two years.

 Jockey Lerena has the right of appeal regarding both the findings and penalties that were imposed.

 Jockey Jason Gates

 Jockey Jason Gates was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.4 in that he rode BLURRED VISION in a careless, negligent, reckless or dangerous manner by intentionally striking the crop out of Jockey Lerena’s hand in the closing stages of this race.

 Jockey Gates entered a plea of not guilty but was found guilty to the charge.

 Jockey Gates was fined the amount of R10 000, of which R5 000 is suspended on condition that he is not found guilty of a contravention of Rule 62.2.4 for a period of two years.

 Jockey Gates has the right of appeal against the finding and penalty that were imposed.

Durban, South Africa – The countdown has begun! The 129th edition of Africa’s premier horse racing and social spectacular, the Hollywoodbets Durban July (HDJ), is set to take place on Saturday, 5th July 2025, at the iconic Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. As the most anticipated fixture on South Africa’s racing calendar, the event seamlessly blends world-class horse racing with high fashion, entertainment, and a memorable social experience.

Staying true to the theme of “Marvels of Mzansi,” this year’s racing extravaganza promises an iconic line-up of South African talent, featuring a diverse array of artists set to captivate all attendees throughout the day. The national anthem will be beautifully performed by one of the country’s leading songstresses – look out for the reveal in May. With these performances, the thousands of attendees expected at Hollywoodbets Greyville will have a memorable experience. Stay tuned for the full artist line-up. All ticket holders can look forward to a day filled with live entertainment that will be talked about for years to come, as this year’s HDJ celebrates Mzansi’s vibrant spirit. 

Tickets for this outstanding event are now officially on sale via Ticketpro (www.ticketpro.co.za). Priced at R230 for general admission, your ticket grants access to a day of thrilling racing action, live entertainment, fashion showcases, gourmet food experiences, and an array of engaging activations from event partners. For added convenience, onsite parking is available for R170 per vehicle.

For those seeking an elevated experience, the VIP hospitality packages provide exclusive access to luxurious enclosures, premium viewing areas, and top-tier catering. These options can be explored on the official event website (www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za). Please note that VIP hospitality packages do not include general admission tickets, which must be purchased separately via Ticketpro.

This year’s theme, “Marvels Of Mzansi”, was unveiled in late February, marking the official commencement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience, presented by Durban Fashion Fair. The fashion programme includes the much-anticipated HDJ Young Designer Award, showcasing the best up-and-coming talents from KwaZulu-Natal. The winners will share the spotlight with the HDJ Invited Designers and DFF Rising Stars at the HDJ Fashion Preview Gala, set to take place at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in late June.

Racing enthusiasts can also look forward to the announcement of the first official entrants on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. With last year’s champion, Oriental Charm, emerging as the early ante-post favourite, excitement is already building. 

Secure your tickets today and experience Africa’s greatest horse racing and social event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July!

Andrew Harrison

When Mike de Kock and son Mathew decided to give the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes a miss with their filly Oxalis Gold in favour of taking on some useful males in the Gr3 Byerley Turk, it must have rung some warning bells with the opposition and indeed punters alike.

Speaking in his post-race interview, Mathew said a wide barrier draw in the Umzimkhulu had influenced their decision to take on males but in hindsight I think it was a cheap sell given that Oxalis Gold would have been up against Gimme’s Countess and Green Sapphire in the Umzimkhulu.  

Whatever the thinking, it was a master stroke as Oxalis Gold made short work of her male opposition and staking a Gr2 Fillies Guineas claim in emphatic fashion. 

At no stage in the race did she look under pressure and went to the line under hands and heels from Kabelo Matsunyane with Cats Pajamas running on stoutly under replacement rider Rachel Venniker with O’Tenikwa a gallant third. 

Serino Moodley was never able to get O’Tenikwa’s head down and settled as Andre Nel’s runner raced head-up and barely under control in the early exchanges so it was a run best ignored. 

Sean Tarry has had a relatively quiet start to the season but things are looking up for the former champion trainer as Legend Of Arthur was given a masterful ride by Richard Fourie to win the Gr1 SA Derby at Turffontein on Saturday and Gavin Lerena was penciled in to ride Green Sapphire in the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes yesterday.

However, Lerena was tied up in an inquiry and S’Manga Khumalo did the honours and rode a superb tactical race. Tarry illuded to post-race that there was no plan to go to the front, but from a good break and all reluctant to go forward, Khumalo had little option but to make the pace and he timed it to perfection.

Green Sapphire kicked smartly at the top of the straight and was never in danger of defeat in spite of favourite Gimme’s Countess making up a lot of ground from off the pace.

It was a good run from both fillies and all going well, the Gr2 Fillies Guineas must be on their radar.

Dean Kannemeyer’s Cape Town contingent arrived in good order last week and they were quick off the mark as Give Me Everything opened up what can be considered Kannemeyer’s start to South Africa’s Champions Season.

Apprentice Jacey Botes aboard the lightly weighted Forward Motion tried his best to pull the sting out of hot favourite Give Me Everything in the opening leg of the Pick 6, but Dean Kannemeyer’s filly has plenty of class. Aiming for four-on-the-trot, Craig Zackey had Give Me Everything  well off the pace turning for home but she quickened like a smart filly to collar Paul Lafferty’s charge who stayed on gamely. The now Gr2 Woolavington 2000 looks tailor-made.

Kannemeyer was back in the winner’s box a race later as Teflon Man put in a smart performance to land the KwaZulu-Natal Stakes in spite of casting a shoe in running. Not all went to plan according to rider Craig Zackey as the filly Celtic Beauty, dropping back to a sprint, set the early fractions at a rather pedestrian pace. 

Towards the back of the field turning for home, Zackey navigated Teflon Man through the traffic to hit the front and hold off a determined late challenge from African Skyline and stable companion Mister Master Starter.

Catavar finally got the maiden monkey off his back as Tony Rivalland’s charge led from the jump to land the card opener at 17^th time of asking.  It was not all plain sailing as the gelding didn’t look too keen under pressure as he shifted both ways. Jabu Jacobs was hard pressed to keep him straight but fortunate that they we well clear of second-placed Firelighter.

Now I Got You landed the honours for favourite backers and Nathan Kotzen as apprentice Brevan Plaatjies got a dream split one off the rail to sweep past longtime leader Glamorz to open the bi-pot.

Bevies Delight has added many grey hairs to Peter Muscutt’s thinning crown as she has not been the easiest to train. However, he picked the right replacement rider in Rachel Venniker who handled the filly superbly in the gate and kudos to the starter who pulled the gate at exactly the right time.

Bevies Delight took on leader Convocation over the final furlong but always looked to have the upper hand.

Favourite Shipholia put in a below par performance and was beaten early in the straight.

Two G’s and Colorado Creek were involved in a bruising duel to the line in the eighth with Khumalo extracting maximum out of Gareth van Zyl’s runner to get him over the line ahead of a late charging Colorado Creek who ran a cracked from his outside draw to finish runner-up again.

Apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto rode a cracker to round off the meeting as the 4kg claimer punched Tara’s Star out from a wide barrier to take on the well-drawn Happy Analia, the two making the pace ahead of a big field.

The pair were head-and-head for most of the race with Mbuto staying well off the rail and went for home first, punching out under hands and pinching a slight advantage. The vastly experience Matsunyane waited for a final kick and although Happy Analia responded, Mbuto, without resorting to the sick, kept punching away with Darryl Moore’s filly responding to get home by a narrow margin for her fourth career win.

Please Note: From December, Unit cost of all Soccer10 Pools closing on Wednesdays will be R3.

The R3 unit cost on Wednesdays is on a trial basis only & follows requests from many customers to increase the Soccer10 Unit.

The unit cost of Soccer10 Pools on all other days remains R2.

All systems go on 1 January 2025

Horseracing in KwaZulu-Natal took the next step to the dawn of a new era with the publication on Thursday of a revitalized racing programme and the news of the introduction of incentives and stakes adjustments that will align the province with the status quo in the Cape.

The introduction of the new-look programme and policies on the East Coast comes into play as a result of the proposed acquisition of Gold Circle by the Hollywood Sportsbook Holdings group, which now hinges on the required approval of the KZN Economic Regulatory Authority (KZNERA).

Whilst the outstanding approval of the KZNERA is critical to the transaction, and will be the final step in transferring ownership, Hollywoodbets and its appointed Chairman Designate of Gold Circle, Greg Bortz are in management and strategic decisions during the interim period, with Hollywoodbets investing funds at its own risk to ensure the continuity of horse racing in KZN, and the survival of Gold Circle.

Programme and related reading matter, click here.

Subject to the fulfillment of other outstanding conditions precedent, the deal effectively unlocks a R500 million rescue injection from Hollywoodbets, and a takeover of the sport in the holiday province, which is set to include track upgrades and other infrastructural and operational initiatives.

The new KZN programme covers the period 1 January to 28 February 2025 and introduces the stakes-boosted class racing structure to the province, while unveiling financial incentives via the RaceCoast incentive scheme with the ultimate aim of improving racehorse ownership in KZN and achieving enhanced field sizes with the knock-on vital lifeblood of increased betting turnovers.

Down South, the RaceCape incentive programme has proven a winner and has underscored the unprecedented turnaround in Cape horseracing by providing further opportunities for the local racing community and increased employment prospects for grooms and work riders, as well as raising the bar for all related and ancillary horse racing services.

“We are very excited about future plans for KZN racing,” Cape Racing Executive: Racing & Bloodstock Justin Vermaak told the Sporting Post on Thursday, as he outlined broad plans to revolutionise the appeal of the sport across the board for all stakeholders in KZN.

“We need to provide owners and trainers with an even and attractive playing field that makes them want to race. Stakes and rewards need to be meaningful. That ultimately leads to better field sizes, more exciting racing and improved betting turnovers. Punters are key to the success of the process. We are implementing a first world reform in terms of transparency when it comes to information. Items like horse weights, for example, will be published. They are, after all, a form assessment tool. Horses working at our training centres and tracks will all have easily identifiable bar-coded saddle-cloths. So, there are no secrets. If Oriental Charm or One Stripe is on track, the public will share in it,” added Vermaak, who confirmed that barrier draws after acceptance was another operational change which would be implemented on 1 January 2025.

Veteran KZN trainer Garth Puller, who attended a recent stakeholder’s meeting at Summerveld hosted by Greg Bortz, Justin Vermaak, Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets officials, enthused that he was thrilled by the news of the takeover by business-minded racing people who were brave and bold enough to step in and turn the ship around.

“This has come very late for me at my age, but it’s a lifechanger and the future is brighter than it was yesterday,” reflected a delighted Puller as he told the Sporting Post that the adjusted stakes and ‘very welcome’ incentives would boost cash-flows,  while also making it so much easier to help him and his colleagues market the basic ownership product.

“And we are getting draws after acceptances. Wonderful! I was calling for that 25 years ago at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Bigger fields mean a faster pace, means better form, means better truer results. It’s an ecosystem of positivity. It all feeds on itself,” added the horseman who is never scared to pass an opinion.

Puller said the repair of the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville was ‘definitely quite overdue and welcome news’.

“That’s our stage. The track must be safe for horse and rider, be true and competitive, and have credibility with all role-players. That’s not a negotiable.”

On the ‘abolition’ of the committee structure to facilitate decision making and policy, Puller said that he was so pleased to hear that all reasonable suggestions will be considered by management.

“Wonderful! So there are no more long-winded committees to hide behind and to dither over. How refreshing.  I believe every stakeholder in this sport in KZN needs to doff a cap to Hollywoodbets and Mr Bortz. This investment and takeover is a brave move. But we know that with the passion for horse racing of the local population in this province, we can make it work. And by putting the structures in place they are making sure we have no excuses. Let’s look forward and get on with rebuilding KZN racing. I am absolutely thrilled. This is good news,” he concluded.