FAILED INTERDICT APPLICATION – JOCKEY G LERENA

PRESS RELEASE

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) confirms that the High Court has dismissed an urgent application brought by Jockey Gavin Lerena seeking to interdict the implementation of disciplinary sanctions imposed following his misconduct during a race.

Background

Following an Inquiry held in Johannesburg earlier this year, Jockey Lerena was found guilty of unprofessional conduct for striking a fellow rider, Jockey Jason Gates, across the back with his crop during the running of a race. The conduct was found to be in breach of Rules 62.2.2, 72.1.25, and 72.1.26, which prohibit behaviour that discredits racing or brings the sport and its regulators into disrepute. An Inquiry Board imposed penalties including a fine and a period of suspension, with portions of both suspended for two years on condition of good behaviour.  An Appeal Board subsequently upheld the Inquiry’s findings and penalties on 18 August 2025, confirming that the disciplinary proceedings were properly conducted and the sanctions appropriate.

Failed Court Application

Despite these internal avenues having been exhausted, Jockey Lerena launched an urgent application in the Gauteng South High Court on 25 September 2025, seeking to prevent the NHA from implementing its decision pending an intended review of the disciplinary process.On 9 October 2025, Judge MV Noko delivered judgment electronically, finding that the matter lacked urgency, self-orchestrated, and accordingly struck it from the roll with costs, including the costs of counsel on Scale B.This outcome reaffirms the independence and procedural integrity of the NHA’s disciplinary framework. The Court’s decision sends a clear message that the NHA’s internal disciplinary mechanisms are valid, effective, and must be respected. Attempts to bypass these established processes through unmerited urgent court applications not only waste judicial resources but also risk eroding public trust in the sport’s governance.
 The NHA welcomes this ruling as a strong endorsement of its regulatory authority and the fairness of its disciplinary structures, which exist to uphold the principles of accountability, safety, and integrity within the horseracing industry.

 Statement from the NHA

The NHA reiterates that all licensed jockeys are required to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and conduct. The Authority will not hesitate to act decisively against any behaviour that undermines the reputation of South African horseracing or endangers fellow participants.

The outcome of this matter reinforces that no individual stands above the Rules, and that the NHA’s disciplinary decisions carry the full weight of law. The public and industry participants can be assured that the NHA remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting the integrity of the sport and ensuring that disciplinary sanctions are enforced without fear or favour.

Michael Shackleton
Legal Advisor
The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa9 October 2025

A failed urgent interdict does not mean a failed case... unless I have missed something 

I hope he gets another hearing and then they through the book at him

I wouldn't bet on that....

The NHA did not sanction Gates properly on previous occasions of interference against Lerena. All he has to do is establish the pattern, which he can with film evidence. The way I see it there are definitely extenuating circumstances with inaction from the NHA.

I do not condone what Lerena did but there are extenuating circumstances. 

Like the Caffeine case, it may have taken more than a few rounds, and the NHA relying on Goody to run out of funds. However, who ended up getting a bloody nose?

And.ran out of funds as only got court cost back. 3 enquiries with 2 expert witnesses cost hundreds 🤑

When you have a weak case, lack evidence and procedure you hope the victim runs out of money right....

Just read Lerena's lawyers response, my money remains firmly on his case... watch and learn. You can hold the moral high ground and lose in delivery. The days of bully and threaten whithout proper procedure and evidence are coming to an end.

Lerenas lawyers response is joke. Sound like an angry wife bringing up all random stuff to paint a picture. Twisted logic.
Throwing everything and see what sticks. That'd what lawyers are paid to do.
The greedy coward is apparently doing all for the other jockeys as well. He is trying to jump on the concerned stakeholders bandwagon.
The ineptitude of the NHA cannot be overlooked, but the irony is that they are been challenged on a case where they used soft hands.
The greatest mitigation is remorse. Lerena has not publicly apologized to Jason Gates yet.

alterego wrote:

Lerenas lawyers response is joke. Sound like an angry wife bringing up all random stuff to paint a picture. Twisted logic.
Throwing everything and see what sticks. That'd what lawyers are paid to do.
The greedy coward is apparently doing all for the other jockeys as well. He is trying to jump on the concerned stakeholders bandwagon.
The ineptitude of the NHA cannot be overlooked, but the irony is that they are been challenged on a case where they used soft hands.
The greatest mitigation is remorse. Lerena has not publicly apologized to Jason Gates yet.


Gates in a recent interview thanked Lerena for lending him riding gloves...I think these two have moved on long ago....the problem stems from the NHRA not being harsh enough on dangerous riding...had they sanctioned Gates harshly for his repeated offences I doubt he would have ridden so recklessly...it seems that the whip correction by Lerena has helped this rider as he no longer is the biggest earner for the NHRA....if you have doubts just Google his name and NHRA and you will see how many times he crossed the line in a very short period...these are living entities so reckless behaviour kills and maimes....I wish the NHRA were as strick on recklessness as they are on whip offences...

I see there is one from GVN also

PRESS RELEASE


FAILED INTERDICT APPLICATION – JOCKEY G VAN NIEKERK


Following an Appeal heard on 14 August 2025 and the press release below, Jockey van Niekerk subsequently filed papers in the Gauteng South High Court on 25 September 2025. The application sought was to have an interdict granted on an urgent basis to have his penalty held in abeyance, until the potential hearing and finalisation of an intended review application by his legal representatives.

Judge Noko concluded that “the application is fraught with some insurmountable difficulties and is bound to fail”.

The judgment was handed down electronically by Judge MV Noko on 10 October 2025, as follows:

The application is struck off the roll for lack of urgency, with costs including the costs of counsel on Scale B.



Michael Shackleton
NHA Legal Advisor

For the record in the season past.
No. of individual NHA charges for interference :
Lerena 4
Gates 3

Ironically the only dangerous riding charge was for Gates, in that now famous race.
This obsession to magnify Gates transgressions to justify an act of madness is becoming ridiculous.

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN THE NATIONAL HORSERACING AUTHORITY AND JOCKEY GRANT VAN NIEKERK


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