Settlement Reached Between NHA And Grant Van Niekerk
Sanity has prevailed in the spiraling Grant van Niekerk case, although it is not clear whether the entire case has reached a conclusion, because the settlement appears to just be about the 60 suspended days and the apology attached to it and there is no mention of the fines he incurred as well as the legal costs of the NHA and also the costs of the appeal board he was ordered to pay.
Van Niekerk’s urgent application to the high court for an interdict was struck off the role, although a review of the case therein was not dismissed and appears to still be before the court.
Van Niekerk’s apology was published in the Sporting Post a few days after the urgent application had failed.
NHA Press Release
The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) confirms that, following constructive engagement with the legal representatives of Jockey Grant van Niekerk, a settlement agreement has been reached to bring finality to the matter arising from the inquiry and appeal proceedings previously concluded against him.
After receiving clarification from his legal representatives that the apology published in the Sporting Post on 16 October 2025 was tendered to the NHA, albeit without prejudice to Jockey van Niekerk’s rights in his pending and intended further legal proceedings, the NHA is satisfied that the conditions for the suspension of a portion of the riding ban have been met.
Having served that portion of the sentence, which was not suspended, the riding ban imposed on Jockey van Niekerk has been uplifted with immediate effect. The balance of the 60-day suspension remains suspended until the end of the current racing season, provided that Jockey van Niekerk is not found guilty of an offence in terms of Rule 72.1.26 during this period.
This resolution reflects an agreement reached between the parties in a good-faith effort to avoid further litigation and unnecessary cost. Both the NHA and Jockey van Niekerk fully reserve their respective rights in relation to all matters arising from these proceedings.
Clarification on Reporting and Court Findings:
The NHA notes certain inaccuracies in the reporting of the statement issued by legal counsel acting for Jockey van Niekerk in which his apology was published.
The sanction imposed by the Inquiry Board, confirmed by the Appeal Board, inter alia required Jockey van Niekerk to make an apology to the NHA and not to “various parties described therein” as reported.
The conclusion of the judgment of the Honourable Judge Noko was also incorrectly quoted. That conclusion reads as follows:
“Conclusion
[17] The application is fraught with some insurmountable difficulties and is bound to fail.
[18] It is strange and disconcerting that the Appeal Board opted not to participate in the proceedings and they are aware that the applicant alleges inability to launch the review application as reasons are not forthcoming, and the applicant is also not bothered by the absence of the reason. This posture may be construed as lending credence to the applicant’s accusations that the applicant is ill-treating its members.”
While it is correct that the Honourable Judge Noko did not make a punitive costs order, a costs order was made against Jockey van Niekerk, including the costs of counsel.
The NHA remains committed to upholding the principles of fairness, accountability, and respect across the horseracing industry and considers this matter now resolved.
Michael Shackleton
Legal Executive
22 October 2025
Atticus Finch Draws Pole In The Charity Mile
Atticus Finch pictured winning last year’s Betway Summer Cup (JC Photos)
Tab4Racing
Atticus Finch will have the perfect opportunity to add a Grade 2 victory to his resume after drawing pole position for the Grade 2 Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile at Turffontein on Saturday 1 November.
He will be carrying joint top weight of 60kg together with Barbaresco, who finished third in last year’s Charity Mile. Barbaresco, however, has not been given the best draw and will jump from gate 12.
The final field for the Grade 2 Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile on 1 November, in order number, draw, horse, merit rating, jockey, and trainer, is:
1 – 1 – ATTICUS FINCH – 60.0 – 121 – Calvin Habib – Alec Laird
2 – 12 – BARBARESCO – 60.0 – 121 – Louis Nhlapo – Johan Janse van Vuuren
3 – 6 – TEXAS RED – 59.0 – 119 – Kabelo Matsunyane – Robyn Klaasen
4 – 14 – CONFEDERATE – 58.5 – 118 – Rachel Venniker – Fabian Habib
5 – 17 – POMODORO’S JET – 58.5 – 118 – Craig Zackey – James Crawford
6 – 10 – SPUMANTE DOLCE – 58.0 – 117 – Callan Murray – Mike/Mathew de Kock
7 – 3 – OTTO LUYKEN – 57.5 – 116 – Louie Mxothwa – James Crawford
8 – 15 – ZINOVI – 57.5 – 116 – Chad Little – Alan Greeff
9 – 8 – IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA – 56.5 – 114 – S’manga Khumalo – Gareth van Zyl
10 – 16 – BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW – 55.5 – 112 – Richard Fourie – Grant Maroun
11 – 18 – CHOISAANADA – 55.5 – 112 – Gavin Lerena – Erico Verdonese
12 – 2 MUSICAL SCORE – 55.0 – 111 – Marco van Rensburg – Lucky Houdalakis
13 – 4 – CALLMEGETRIX – 54.5 – 110 – Muzi Yeni – Sean Tarry
14 – 11 – ANFIELDS ROCKET – 54.0 – 109 – Sean Veale – Grant Maroun
15 – 9 – ARISTOTLE – 54.0 – 109 – Kaidan Brewer – Alec Laird
16 – 7 – RODEO DRIVE – 53.0 – 107 – Philasande Mxoli – Sean Tarry
Reserve Runners
17 – 19 – MONEY HEIST – 53.0 – 107 – Reserve 1 – Tony Peter
18 – 5 – ARGO ALLEY – 53.0 – 107 – Reserve 2 – St John Gray
19 – 13 PRESSONREGARDLESS – 52.5 – 104 – Reserve 3 – David Nieuwenhuizen
Cognac Likely To Avoid Cape's Best Milers
Cognac was raised three points to 98 for his impressive win over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on October 12. (Picture: Anneke Akal Kitching)
Stuart Ferrie believes the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas will be too soon in Cognac’s career for him to be given a crack at it.
He said, “I think we will give the Guineas a miss, it comes too quick for him.”
His charges, Gladatorian, I Am Giant and Cognac, leave for Cape Town on the 11th of November.
He said he was eyeing a Middle Stakes event over 1600m in the middle of November for Cognac.
He said that would be the test to see whether he stayed a mile and if he did he would then be lined up for some classic events in the Champions Season in KZN.
He said if it was shown he was a sprinter he would then have a race like the Gr 2 Diadem available to him at the end of the Cape Summer, at which point he would be two or three months older and more mature.
Another object of the excercise is he would be away from the rainy season in KZN and would have the sun on his back.
I Am Giant was hit with a three point raise for his win of a 1200m A Stakes race at Hollywoodbets Greyville on October 12 and Stuart said that had scuppered his plans of giving him another run.
He will now go straight into the Gr 2 Cape Merchants on Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas day on December 13.
Gladatorian will be running in the Gr 2 WSB Green Point Stakes on that same day.
Gladatorian’s subsequent target will be the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate on January 10 and he will probably go for the Gr 1 WSB Met on January 31 too.
How To Find The Longest-priced Gr 1 Winner In History
Powerful Glory after winning the Gr 1 Champions Sprint under Jamie Spencer (Picture: Sky Sport Racing)
A 200-1 chance called Powerful Glory won the Champions Sprint Stakes at the UK’s end-of-season prestige race meeting at Ascot on Saturday – becoming the longest-price winner of a Group 1 race in Europe since the Pattern system was introduced in 1971.
How could punters find a longshot like that?
Master Josh Just Holds On In Big Upset
The Yadav Singh-trained Pomodoro gelding Master Josh (far side) just holds on to give Girish Samo-Burthia the first leg of a quick double (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)
Master Josh proved to be the bookmakers friend in the B Stakes that headed the card at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday. Paying R17 a win on the tote, Yadav Singh’s gelding held on just long enough under leading Mauritian apprentice Girish Samo-Burthia to hold off a late-charging Major Tommie, Garth Puller’s runner a touch unlucky as Calvin Habib had to delay vital seconds for a gap to open as he took the inside line.
Samo-Burthia is leading the national apprentice standings and had no hesitation in sending Master Josh to the front.. The gelding kicked smartly at the top of the straight and went a long way clear. However, he was treading water the last furlong with the pack closing fast, but not fast enough as Major Tommie ran out of runway, a winner two jumps past the post.
Finishes don’t come much tighter than the first where Austrian Beauty and Queen Fenn were separated by little more than the width of a piece of paper. In a tough stretch duel, Austrian Beauty finally wore down pacemaker Captain Ventura and just when it looked to be all over, Queen Fenn arrived with a telling late run and had the race in the bag one stride past the post. Since arriving in the Duncan Howells yard, Austrian Beauty had never finished further back than second in three starts but it was tough luck for Darryl Moore who saddled both Queen Fenn and Captain Ventura.
The poly track may be a slightly quicker surface than the turf but it will find a horse out if the rider presses for home too early. Xiphos looked to be the ‘right’ one in the second after two runners-up placings and was sent to make all the running. 300m from home he looked to have the race in the bag as he pulled clear but all the while the first timer Military Force was making up ground fast from well back at the top of the straight. Nirvan Nastili, who still claims 2.5kg in spite of his obvious ability, got his mount into stride and edging through a tight gap, Louis Goosen’s runner rocketed past Xiphos to win going away and pay a healthy R38 a win on the tote.
Dean Kannemeyer has a blue print for his horses from which he rarely deviates – leave them alone early and letting them find their feet then charge for home. Craig Zackey stuck to the plan, letting debutante Bella Valentina find her feet and then sending for home. Favourite Blue Poppy shot out of the pack, going clear at the top of the straight, but Bella Valentina closed relentlessly and got the better of exchanges over the last 100m.
The first favourite to arrive and kicking off the Pick 6, Spaarne Rivier won a straight forward race, Callan Murray taking Mike and Mathew de Kock’s galloper up handy before quickening away to win rather comfortably. Tickalox stayed on for second while Susurrando was disappointing but was all at sea and a horse that could be looking for a lot further than yesterday’s 1400m.
Green Mile has taken time to shed his maiden but has never been too far off in a dozen starts. Serino Moodley made the best of his inside draw, taking Andre Nel’s charge to the lead, one that he never relinquished. Call Me Wild tried hard to cut back the deficit but to no avail with Drielandenpunt running on for third.
Blazing Light earned himself a reprieve from the retirement list with a comfortable win in the Apprentice D Stakes. Last year’s Champion Apprentice Brevan Plaatjies was never in a hurry on the strapping son of Rafeef and sat comfortably tracking the pace. When asked for an effort, Stuart Ferries charge sped clear and was never for the catching with Banzai Pipeline trailing in second.
The seventh turned into a race of dodgem cars as a slow early pace saw Roy Taking Off nearly unseating apprentice Bavish Soodoo as his keen mount pecked after running into the back of Light Of Gabriel. He did well to stay aboard and was quick to regain his irons but Copacabana was forced to ease.
But the drama was not over. In a blanket finish, pacemaker She’s A Machine, kept hard to her task by Muzi Yeni, shifted out under pressure inconveniencing Rahhabba with Serino Moodley having to ease out of the race. That said, One Path, Light Of Gabriel and Copacabana were all in the scrum come the line. Speed Machine’s win gave Stuart Ferrie a quick double.
Samo-Burthia increased his lead on the national apprentice log as he rode a quick double, also leading all the way on the Kom Naidoo-trained Rainbow Reward. Skipping clear at the top of the straight, he was not for the catching with Pinetti making a belated effort to close the gap.
Chrome Tourmaline Could Be The Shining Star
Purton's 1900th, Ferraris Double, Hewitson Scores Too
The Danny Shum-trained Talents Supremo gives Zac Purton a milestone 1900 wins on the racing mad island of Hong Kong (HKC)
Luke Ferraris scored a double at the Happy Valley meeting in Hong Kong on Wednesday to go joint-second on the jockeys log, although his nine wins are just one more than Lyle Hewitson, who added one win to his tally at the meeting.
However, Zac Purton stole the show as the first leg of his treble on the night took him to a milestone 1900 wins on the island.
Today's Question
When is it believed that the term Grand Stand was first recorded in a British publication?
Picture: The Ascot grandstand is spectacular today
FIELDS, Thursday, 23 October
Vaal Classic
Today’s Question Answer
“The first brick of the Grand Stand at Ascot was laid on the 5th of December 1838”.
This contemporary report is believed to be the first time that the term Grand Stand was recorded in a British Publication. Grandstand is of course today a common word for the main spectator stand at sporting and other events, one of a number of common terms that had their origins in horseracing.
Click here for some common phrases that come from horseracing
Click here to see a few more phrases of horseracing origin
