Picture: Basil Thomas
Former racing administrator and Consultant to the Hollywood Sportsbook Group, Basil Thomas, has contributed to the concerned stakeholders’ published views on the open letter sent to NHA members and the racing community over the weekend by former NHA chairperson Susan Rowett.
He put down his views after reading Susan Rowett’s letter and Greg Bortz’s response to the letter.
His views are shown below:
You have invited comment from the “concerned stakeholders” and I will now attempt to make a pertinent contribution in this regard.
The narrative being projected by Mrs Rowett is most unfortunate. Not only is so much of it factually wrong, but it is also in some respects disingenuous.
I will not waste any time on technical arguments which are being more than adequately dealt with by the numerous legal minds.
However, I do feel compelled to make comment regarding the emotional accusations made by Mrs Rowett in regard to the “capture of horse racing” by the Racing Operators.
Mrs Rowett knows full well that there is no such intention.
In recent months, I was personally involved in several meetings and related exchanges of correspondence with Mrs Rowett in which I emphasised that as far as Hollywood and Race Coast are concerned, we are strongly committed to the independence of the regulator.
This despite the fact that we are responsible for approximately 50% of the NHRA funding.
The word “capture” is insultingly emotive and is intended to be a trump card to achieve an end that I simply cannot understand.
Put another way, I have no idea what the end game is. What does Mrs Rowett want to achieve?
Four years ago, the South African horse racing industry was on its knees. Phumelela had entered business rescue; Cape Racing was days away from a similar fate and Gold Circle was haemorrhaging losses that would exhaust its cash resources within 18 months.
A rescue was needed and needed urgently. Unfortunately, there was and still is little prospect that the businesses of the Racing Operators will miraculously turn a profit. Consequently, the only hope rested in passion and philanthropy.
Horse racing found two such persons who would selflessly embark on this rescue mission. The mission has not just been survival; it has been a commitment to upliftment and sustainability.
A mission that will save thousands of jobs and dozens of related businesses that operate within the wider industry. Ironically, Mrs Rowett’s Varsfontein business has experienced its own upliftment and security of market as a result of this rescue mission. I repeat, what is the end game?
If, as Mrs Rowett contends, the Racing Operators have “captured racing”, what is their prize? The right to put in billions more to keep racing alive? The ludicrousness of this “capture” narrative defies belief.
The current Constitution of the NHRA is not fit for purpose.
Is there an expectation that the operators must be obliged to continue to fund an organisation with absolutely no input in regard to the appointment of suitable directors or any opinion on the decisions taken by the regulator?
To be honest, this whole matter is unpleasant. It seems as if the Racing Operators are being required to defend themselves against accusations of nefarious intent.
In summary:
The Operators will not apologise for wanting a seat on Nomco.
It is absolutely understandable that Funders would want some comfort/assurance regarding the suitability of Directors.
That does not make the appointees pawns of the Operators.
That is insulting.
Nomco is not a new thing. It exists in the current Constitution.
The significant difference now compared to before is that the Operators previously only had one member on Nomco, and because they are very different businesses and NOT ONE, It was considered inappropriate for one Operator to be speaking for the other.
Why is it assumed that the Operators are a Cabal? They are fierce (but respectful) competitors.
Here is a reality – if either one of the two current benefactors throws in the towel, there is no NHRA, because there will be no racing.
This is not Phumelela – there is no evidence of the current funders taking a single Rand out – but billions have gone in.
The simple and most important fact is that Operators have no representation on the Board (like they used to have, for years) – and we must respect the fact that Directors know their fiduciary responsibilities.
Progress is measured by change. An inability or reluctance to change invariably results in stagnation and an uncertain future.
The owners of the Racing Operators have actually asked for nothing. They have humbly remained off the radar.
To be accused of an intended or enabled “capture” is beyond insulting. Surely that view cannot be shared by the thousands of persons who have benefitted from their benevolence?
BASIL THOMAS
Consultant to the Hollywood Sportsbook Group
