Picture: Tony Peter after winning the first race before the news of the rest of his runners being scratched had broken (JC Photos)
Sensational news at the big Betway Summer Cup meeting at Turffontein Standside on Saturday soon degenerated into what some have been calling a fiasco.
After race 2 had been completed it was announced the rest of Tony Peter’s horses for the meeting had all been scratched for the reason “under investigation”. A NHA press release explained that an interim suspension had been placed on all horses in the Peter yard and they would not be eligible to race until a pending investigation had been completed. This was apparently due to an incident at the Peter yard on Saturday involving a NHA official.
The first question asked by many was why the scratchings had occurred only after the first race had been won by a Tony Peter horse, Almond Sea (Canford Cliffs).
Wild rumours circulated about what had happened at the yard in the morning.
However, Tony’s former champion trainer father Paul Peter later contacted the Sporting Post to inform them they had laid a charge of assault against an NHA official. Peter’s wife had apparently attempted to resist being searched by the official.
A NHA press release on Monday stated the interim suspension on all of Peter’s horses had been lifted.
A NHA press release laster on Monday announced an inquiry into Peter not presenting Flying Bull for testing at Saturday’s meeting as had been requested.
Flying Bull was in a later race and was apparemntly not on course when the request came for all of his horses to be presented for testing.
The three NHA press releases are below:
IINTERIM SUSPENSION : TRAINER TONY PETER
- (25 November)
- The National Horseracing Authority confirms that in terms of, inter alia, Rule 91.2, it has imposed an Interim suspension on Trainer Mr Tony Peter effective from today, Saturday 25 November 2023, at 12h21. Consequently, all horses under the care of Trainer Peter will NOT be eligible to participate in races pending the conclusion of the investigation. This investigation has emanated from a stable visit by NHA Officials earlier today, which raised certain serious concerns.
Trainer Peter will be allowed access to his stable to ensure that the welfare of his horses is maintained.
Vee Moodley
Chief Executive
URGENT UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF INTERIM SUSPENSION – TRAINER TONY PETER
27 November
The National Horseracing Authority confirms that following an incident on Saturday morning, 25 November 2023, and the uncooperative nature of the stable representative and persons present at the time at the stables of Trainer Mr Tony Peter at Turffontein Racecourse, the remaining horses that were carded to race following the running of Race 1 were withdrawn by the Stipendiary Stewards. An immediate investigation was opened into this incident necessitating an interim suspension being placed on Trainer Tony Peter in terms of Rule 91.2.
As a result of the aforementioned, the preliminary investigation has been completed and consequently the interim suspension imposed on Trainer Tony Peter has been lifted forthwith.
An Inquiry has been opened into the matter and the NHA has also put certain safeguards in place to ensure the welfare of horses that are carded to participate in races, thereby maintaining the integrity of the industry.
Vee Moodley
Chief Executive
UPDATE – TRAINER TONY PETER INVESTIGATION FINALISED
27 November
Following the Press Release that was sent out on Sunday night, 26 November 2023, “URGENT UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF INTERIM SUSPENSION – TRAINER TONY PETER”, and the conclusion of the investigation, the following will be considered, inter alia, by an Inquiry Board.
Trainer Tony Peter was advised on 25 November 2023 to present selected runners for the taking of pre-race specimens.
FLYING BULL was not presented for the collection of specimens despite Trainer Tony Peter being reminded of this requirement.
An Inquiry Board will be convened in due course.
A D Hyde
Racing Control Executive
