Grant van Niekerk got the substantial winning rider’s cheque for the R5 million Big Cap, but will be on the sidelines for 21 days and will have to fork out a R50,000 fine due to the interference he was adjudged by the stipendiary stewards to have caused at the 150m mark of that lucrative race. (Picture: Wayne Marks).
Grant van Niekerk has been hit with a 21 day suspension and R50,000 fine for his ride in the R5 million Big Cap over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on March 16.
Van Niekerk rode the winner All Out For Six.
However, his mount caused interference in the straight when shifting inward, which ultimately cost the odds-on favourite One Stripe any chance of a fair run to the line.
One Stripe had to be snatched up at the 150m mark to avoid going over the rail as The Grey King was being pushed sideways on to him by All Out For Six.
One Stripe’s connections could not object as he only finished sixth.
All Out For Six might have won the race anyway, as he turned it on impressively, so the incident detracted from what could have been a great race.
The NHA sent out the following press release:
INQUIRY – JOCKEY G VAN NIEKERK
The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) confirms that at an Inquiry held in Cape Town on 25 March 2025, Jockey G van Niekerk was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7. The particulars being that whilst riding ALL OUT FOR SIX, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to THE GREY KING and ONE STRIPE when he shifted in at the 150m in Race 8, HSH Princess Charlene Big Cap, over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse on 16 March 2025.
Jockey G van Niekerk pleaded not guilty but was found guilty of the charge.
The Inquiry Board considered the mitigating and aggravating factors, which included the value and status of the race, as well as Jockey van Niekerk’s poor riding record pertaining to interference related contraventions. A penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of twenty-one (21) days and a fine of fifty thousand rand (R50 000.00) was imposed.
Jockey van Niekerk was given the Right of Appeal against both the finding and the penalty imposed.
Enquiries:
Vee Moodley
Chief Executive
