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News & Events
Chairman's Report - 1st December 2006
1. Background
In 2003 on a trip to Melbourne, Australia, I was taken to the trots at Moonee Valley for a night outing. Surprisingly, and with a strong thoroughbred and one track mindset, I was exposed to some aspects that related strongly for me in a South African context, and which I found very appealing.
The family and large amateur participant base I found interesting, the smaller tracksizes, the quick speed of race turn-around, horses racing frequently til age 15, all convinced me that there were aspects that could complement and be absorbed positively into South African racing conditions.
In April 1994 I started correspondence and some serious international research which quickly revealed harness racing to be of a widespread and surprisingly huge scale. The previously unknown qualities and merits of the standardbred and European trotter were also soon recognized and appreciated.
The overseas trotting jurisdictions furthermore expressed absolute and strong support for the introduction of harness racing into Africa.
I then decided in November to commit funding and working full-time to furthering the project.
The Harness Racing Association of South Africa (HRSA) was then established to play the role of the regulative, control and membership body, and a company Classic Harness Racing (Pty) Ltd (CHR) was also established to perform and take responsibility for the commercial functions. In terms of an agreement HRSA conferred all commercial obligations for harness racing in South Africa to CHR. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of CHR is earmarked for BEE ownership when due value has been created.
Although a number of trotting jurisdictions offered to provide us with simulcasts, the time-zone differences dictated that this would ultimately need to be drawn from one of the European jurisdictions. This route would inevitably have some downside and draw language and hemispheric barriers into play. After considerable further research and discussions with both France and Sweden, a visit to Sweden with Clive Murphy ensued which has resulted in an alignment with Svenska Travsportens Centralförbund (STC), unquestionably one of the most respected and envied trotting jurisdictions worldwide.
This alignment has cemented for us a parallel relationship with the big Swedish tote betting company Trav och Galopp (ATG), who have agreed to provide Phumelela Gold Enterprises (PGE) with a 3 year simulcast feed for the benefit of CHR and the start-up of trotting in South Africa.
Agreements are in place between ATG and PGE, CHR and PGE, and an MOU exists between STC and HRSA.
An arrangement with NHASA to co-regulate harness racing has been accepted by the national and provincial gambling boards.
2. Position as at 1st December 2006
Simulcasts
Following a number of delays this is now due to commence on 4th December.
Funding
To date this has been provided exclusively by DAL. The inflow of revenues from 4th December will hopefully replace this as a funding source and facilitate repayment of these establishment monies.
Premises
From July 2006 Gold Circle have generously accommodated us with offices on Greyville racecourse. When revenues commence it is intended to make payment for future occupation of this space at R50.00/sq.m.
Stud Book and Registries
It is hoped to utilise the GC National Racing Bureau for set up of the Standardbred Stud book of SA as well as a non-Standardbred and part-Standardbred register.
Rules
Adaption of the National Rules of Harness Racing and Breeding from Australian Harness Racing Council (with full agreement to use of their intellectual property) has been utilized as the basis for collation of new HRSA rules.
Marketing and media
Excellent media coverage has been obtained over the past 3 months although the delays in simulcasting have thwarted a climax. Andrew Harrison has been generous with his coverage as has Sporting Post and Parade.
Johnny B Karlsson visit
We are grateful to Gold Circle, Phumelela and A.C.Smith who contributed to the costs of bringing this young driver out from Sweden for a two week visit. The visit was due to have co-incided with the launch of simulcasting and value was again lost as a result of delay.
Trotting clinics were held at Randjiesfontein, Kenilworth, Scottsville and Dundee with the latter deriving huge press both locally and abroad. Attendance at the other clinics was generally disappointing however.
Keeping Track and SAfm interviews with Johnny were also effective, resulting we believe in good exposure to current racing audiences.
Johnny has indicated he would very much like to return to SA next year, and has submitted an application for an A class drivers license for RSA.
Membership
Current HRSA membership is 217, of which 201 are mostly rural black horse owners and members of the rural horse-racing associations. An additional +/- 400 members are expected/available to be absorbed when a further 2 rural regional districts make blanket application. HRSA has intimated to Gold Circle readiness to benefit HRSA black members with GC cross membership.
ITA Membership
South Africa's application for membership to the International Trotting Association has been made and is expected to be ratified at the November 2007 Christchurch, New Zealand ITC conference. I hope that we will have good representation at this event.
IDC
The world International Drivers Championships are also to be held in Australia and New Zealand from 1st to 9th November 2007. The prospect of SA participation there with Johnny B Karlsson (who has expressed keenness) representing SA is tantalizing and would be a huge boost.
Training
HRSA has committed to assist in the training and upliftment of rural horse owners with equine training. Module I of our Horse Carer's course, in conjunction with the Groom School, is scheduled to kick-off on 22nd January in Dundee with an initial 10 trainees. This is intended to be repeated monthly, and DSR are contributing to these training costs.
A working exchange program with STC in Sweden has also been agreed.
SAREA has also engaged us in discussion about the inclusion of harness racing unit standards for their Aprentice program. The prospect of a further professional equine income generation means is deemed valuable for jockeys that have gained weight or age.
3. The way forward
Inputs and agreement is sought urgently on the identification, adoption and implementation of a strategy(ies) to sensibly accomplish Phase II comprising the following in 2007:
- Membership and participant level of 1000 by 31/12/07.
- Node trotting development officer appointments.
- Training
- M, R and Kortebaan Track construction.
- Procurement and registration of horses (and importation of standardbreds)
- Harness and sulky availability
- Nov 2007 ITC and IDC participation - NZ and Australia.
- Racing by end July 2007
4. Summary
Although some satisfaction can be taken in bringing harness racing in SA to the point of conclusion of Phase I, the second development phase is deemed to be by far the biggest mountain to climb. 2007 will be a telling year with onerous demands and workload.
Thanks are especially due to you - the carefully chosen directors who have agreed to sit on this board and impart expertise in the introduction of harness racing to SA. To the support and open-mindedness of Gold Circle and its CEO, a considerable vote of thanks is especially due.
D.A.Latimer
Chairman
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