Horse Racing News | Gold Circle Horse Racing And Betting

Fortune granted license

PUBLISHED: February 19, 2025

David Thiselton
Andrew Fortune has been granted a jockey license and this has been met with a mixed reaction from the racing fraternity.
The granting of the license was done on Tuesday morning and was bizarrely accompanied by the issuing to him of a massive fine and there were also certain conditions he would have to meet for the license to remain valid.
The press release announcing his license had been granted stated:
The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) confirms that the Licensing Board met on 14 February 2025 to consider Mr Andrew Fortune’s application for a Jockey Licence and subsequently Mr Fortune appeared before the Licensing Board this morning in this regard. At the meeting, Mr Fortune was informed of outstanding administrative requirements and disciplinary matters that had been identified by the Licensing Board. He subsequently provided documentation in support of his application and signed an Admission of Guilt concerning contraventions of Rules 72.1.26 and 72.1.43 in relation to social media content which could be construed to discredit horse racing, the NHA and its officials. A fine of R500 000 was imposed, of which R250 000 is suspended for a period of five years on condition that he is not found guilty of contravening rules pertaining to his conduct during this period. Consequently, after careful consideration, the Licensing Board granted Mr Fortune a Jockey licence, with immediate effect, with certain conditions that were put in place. These conditions include that Mr Fortune be initially restricted to a minimum riding weight of 58kg, that he is restricted to riding in Southern Africa under the Rules of the NHA until 31 July 2026 and that his future professional conduct would be closely monitored. Licensing BoardThe National Horseracing Authority of Southern AfricaFortune’s riding ability has never been questioned and before his famous comeback in February 2008 he had reportedy had twenty Gr 1 wins.However, he has a propensity for courting controversy.His R500,000 fine was said to relate to a letter he wrote to the Sporting Post criticising an NHA fine handed out to Juan Nel and in the letter he said the following, “The Stipendiary Steward involved in the Juan Nel matter is well known to many racing stakeholders. He used to be the Clerk of Scales a few years back, when I was still riding. It always cost me a few bucks but let’s just say that it was not difficult to cheat the scale under his watch. And no Stipe should surely ever be in a position where he borrows money from people over whom he has authority and jurisdiction? It makes for potentially bad outcomes. I can give provide plenty more examples.”That was basically an admission of a serious trangression.However, he said in an interview yesterday with Joao De Mato of Glistian Events that he bore no grudges against the NHA and he would have done the same as they had done if put in their shoes.He also spoke of his need to have an attitude change and he was going to help the process by arriving at the races dressed in a suit, a sign that he will be out to be as professional as possible in the next chapter of his colourful life.Fortune also gathered a number of penalties when stable employee to his wife Ashley’s yard and this related to the improper, disrespectful, or abusive manner during a hearing held at the Head Office of the NHA on 27 May 2020, swearing at and assaulting a member of the South African Police Services, an assault on Jockey Gavin Lerena and intimidation of a licensed official of the NHA. However, Fortune’s life story tends to override these transgressions as he has become a symbol of courage and hope for recovering drug addicts.Those who find it insulting to Fortune that an article such as this one can refer to him as a recovering drug addict, he wants to be known precisely as that so he can serve as an inspiration to others who have fallen into a downward spiral and he wants to be a symbol of proof that recovery is possible.He was said in his younger days to enjoy “the high life” and this saw him in hot water with the stipendiary stewards on a regular basis. This culminated in him being “banned indefinitely from race riding” in November 2002 after, not for the first time, failing to pitch up for a meeting. This particular meeting was at Scottsville and he had a full book of rides.However, he was soon allowed to ride again, but was in and out of trouble, including testing positive for cocaine in 2004.His road to recovery began when he eventually admitted to the NHA that he had developed a drug addiction problem.The brave path to true recovery then began.He has been “clean” since 27 March, 2007.Fortune’s transformation into a symbol of hope and courage was preceded by vivid descriptions of how low his lowest moments had been. He first won admiration for just making it back into the saddle in February 2008 and riding regular winners.However, it turned into one of the all time great South African sporting fairytales, because the following season, despite being a heavyweight jockey who battled with his weight, not to mention being a recovering drug addict, he won the 2008/2009 South African jockeys championship.Fortune was also much loved for his quick wit and sense of humour, a true entertainer.He was also an inspiration to many others of all walks of life who required rehabilitation.He also had a successful battle with his weight.His last ride was on July 1, 2017 and about six months later his wife Ashley began operating as a licensed trainer with himself as assistant. The couple had considerable success, including training Princess Calla to Gr 1 glory, before they packed it in in mid 2023 and took on a new role at a spelling facility in Australia.However, the lure of race riding has proved too strong, although the decision to come back must surely have also been inspired by the success in the last two or three season of the evergreen Piere Strydom,who at 58 is one year older than Fortune.”Manne’s” fans are thrilled he is back and they are likely more in number than his detractors, who hope his good points on this occcasion completely override his bad points, as he will be looked up to by young riders.

Soccer 6 & 10 Carryover

PUBLISHED: February 19, 2025

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Turffontein Thursday 20 February 2025 – Abandoned

PUBLISHED: February 19, 2025

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PUBLISHED: February 19, 2025

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PUBLISHED: February 18, 2025

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