Picture: 4racing race action – image for illustration only (Pic – JC Photos)
Patrick Duff, CEO of 4Racing, has also responded to Susan Rowett’s open letter.
He said, “As CEO of 4Racing, I wish to respond publicly to Susan Rowett’s open letter to the racing industry dated 1 November 2025.”
His response is laid out below:
Following my appointment in June this year, two issues became immediately apparent: widespread stakeholder dissatisfaction with the performance of the National Horseracing Authority over the past few years and a concerning increased level of fragmentation amongst stakeholders within the horse racing industry.
The reality is that our industry has experienced substantial decline over the past decade.
As an operator responsible for putting on the show, our revenues are directly tied to the health and performance of South African horseracing. This includes the obligation to fund the NHA’s budget, which, unlike the sport itself, has increased disproportionately year after year.
Recent missteps by the NHA have undermined efforts to revive the industry.
To strengthen the NHA and ensure it operates in alignment with the interests of the industry, we must adopt a new constitution that enables constructive stakeholder participation whilst preserving full regulatory oversight by the NHA Board. To be clear, the latter being non-negotiable.
Contrary to the defamatory and misleading narrative in Ms. Rowett’s letter, the proposed constitution is the product of a collaborative process involving representatives from owners, breeders, operators, trainers, jockeys and the NHA Board itself.
It reflects thoughtful debate, negotiated compromises and a shared commitment to ensuring no single stakeholder dominates the NHA. The rationale for each substantive change is clearly outlined in the explanatory memorandum accompanying the notice and the proposed constitution.
To clarify some of the inaccuracies in Ms. Rowett’s assertions:
- Her claim that the Nomination Committee (NomCo) consists solely of two operator appointees and one trainer appointee, excluding owners, is incorrect. NomCo also includes two individuals appointed by the Board, one of whom must be an owner. Additionally, the proposed constitution requires that at least four and up to six directors of the NHA be members in good standing (excluding trainers, assistant trainers, stable employees, jockeys, and apprentice jockeys).
- Her assertion that the proposed constitution would allow a part-time employee of an operator to serve as a director, thereby compromising the Board’s independence and autonomy, is also inaccurate. The constitution expressly prohibits not only full-time employees of an operator but also any individual holding office in an operator from serving on the NHA Board. Furthermore, the proposed constitution reinforces the independence and integrity of the Board by enshrining each director’s duty to act solely in the interests of the NHA. It explicitly prohibits directors from using their position or any information obtained in that capacity to benefit themselves or any party other than the NHA.
This is a pivotal moment for the industry. We should not allow messages from an ex-Chairperson of the NHA to muddy the waters and distract from the meaningful positive progress being made.
Kind regards,
Patrick Duff
Chief Executive Officer – 4Racing (Pty) Limited
