The Axel Collins and You’re My Sunshine case caused a big rumpus two years ago, but was swiftly concluded on Friday
The NHA published the following press release:
INQUIRY – TRAINER A P PETER
The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (the NHA) confirms that at an Inquiry commenced at its offices in Johannesburg on 12 October 2023, Trainer Mr A P Peter was charged with a contravention of Rule 73.2.7 and Rule 10.5.14.
The particulars being that he was the Trainer responsible for AXEL COLLINS and YOURE MY SUNSHINE, when a specimen collected from these horses at his Racing Stables at the Turffontein Racecourse on 24 July 2023, disclosed upon analysis the presence of Lidocaine, a local anaesthetic classified as a Class 2 prohibited substance, the administration of which, was not accurately recorded as a treatment record in a Veterinary Treatment Register (VTR).
Lignocaine is a local anaesthetic commonly used in horses to numb specific areas for minor procedures or to provide nerve blocks during lameness examinations.
The Inquiry continued on 13 October 2023 and 6 November 2023.
Today, 3 October 2025, the Inquiry Board accepted an Admission of Guilt from Mr A P Peter in the amount of R15 000 (Fifteen Thousand Rand), in full and final settlement of the matter.
In determining the above penalty, careful consideration was given to the class of substance involved, the Trainer’s record of prior prohibited substance contraventions within the past five years, the concentration of the substance detected in the specimen, and the fact that both horses were withdrawn from the race meeting on 27 July 2023 in terms of Rule 4.2.18.
Michael Shackleton
NHA Legal Advisor
The original two releases on this case in around August and September of 2023 are shown below:
The National Horseracing Authority confirms that, following Out of Competition Specimen Collection performed by its Officials at Randjesfontein Training Centre and Turffontein Racecourse on Monday, 24 July 2023, an investigation was conducted into the veterinary treatments of horses declared as upcoming runners.
Pending the results of the NHA Laboratory analysis, on-site observatory evidence along with evidence provided by the Officials and after careful consideration of the contents of the Veterinary Treatment Register (VTR), AXEL COLLINS, NAPOLEAN and YOURE MY SUNSHINE were withdrawn from race meeting on 27 July 2023 at 09h25, in terms of Rule 4.2.18.
The NHA Laboratory, having conducted the requisite screening, has confirmed that specimens collected from AXEL COLLINS and YOURE MY SUNSHINE, revealed upon analysis the presence of four (4) prohibited substances, of which one (1) substance was not recorded in the Trainer’s VTR. An Inquiry will be opened into the one (1) substance that was NOT recorded for each of the respective two horses.
The investigation thus far has raised a host of serious concerns in relation to horse welfare, including the liberal and regimented use of medications and/or treatments administered to horses during the days preceding racing and the accuracy of the recordal of such treatment in the relevant VTR. It appears that this practice has become widespread and therefore not limited to an individual Veterinarian or Trainer.
The NHA advocates a fair and level playing field for all horses and, most importantly, for only fit and healthy horses to participate in races. The initial findings of this investigation have raised a myriad of alarming concerns and the NHA is in the process of conducting further investigations into practices, methodologies, mitigatory procedures, as well as considering possible amendments to the Rules, in order to eliminate such practices that some stakeholders wrongly believe to be acceptable and humane!
Follow up press release to the above is shown below:
Following the Press Release on 4 August 2023 (below), concerning Out of Competition (OOC) specimen collection that took place at Randjesfontein Training Centre and Turffontein Racecourse on 24 July 2023, the NHA confirms that the respective parties associated with AXEL COLLINS and YOURE MY SUNSHINE exercised their rights in terms of the Rules and requested that the respective reference specimens be sent to a Laboratory for confirmatory analysis.
As a result of a lack of consensus pertaining to the selection of a single confirmatory laboratory, the Chief Executive, pursuant to the provisions of Rule 75.7, nominated the Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory to conduct the confirmatory analysis on the said specimens.
In terms of the Rules, the reference specimens were dispatched to the nominated confirmatory laboratory on 21 August 2023, and this process was witnessed by Trainer Mr. A P Peter, his legal representative and other parties. On 25 August 2023, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory confirmed having received the reference specimens.
The NHA received written confirmation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory on Wednesday, 13 September 2023, that the specimens taken from AXEL COLLINS and YOURE MY SUNSHINE were analysed and the presence of the prohibited substance, Lidocaine was found to be present, unequivocally confirming the initial findings of The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa’s Laboratory.
An Inquiry will be held regarding this matter on a date to be confirmed.
