Justin Vermaak - Turf Talk interview

The „Catamaran Party‟ in Mauritius EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT BY JUSTIN VERMAAK JUST a bunch guys having fun. There should be a Rule against Stipes bringing racing into disrepute! JUSTIN Vermaak, the popular Tellytrack presenter and Green Street Bloodstock director, has decided to inform the racing public of what had happened on a Catamaran rented for a day trip in Mauritius recently and after which two leading South African jockeys were suspended. Following a video taken on board and allegedly showing Vermaak and jockeys Raymond Danielson, Brandon Lerena and Muzi Yeni socialising with a licensed bookmaker, the Mauritius Turf Club Stewards last week slapped a three-month riding ban on Danielson and Lerena. There is no indication yet whether Yeni, who had earlier been cleared of wrongdoing following alleged incriminating Whatsapp messages, will also be suspended for his apparently innocent frolics on the pleasure boat. Vermaak said on Tuesday: “There are certain members of the racing fraternity in South Africa who as usual have looked for anything negative to hang on to this story. The rumours that have reached me are unbelievable. It‟s just been another opportunity for some individuals to slander, to add their own tails to the spreading rumours.” Vermaak explained that he had met one “Ash” (Ashley Jankee) in the Sunset Cafe Restaurant in Grand Baie, Mauritius. „Ash‟ introduced himself as an agent for Fashion TV and was accompanied by a lady DJ from France, who was playing a gig in the pub that night. “I didn‟t know this guy from a bar of soap. We spoke for a while and he told me that he was especially active as a modelling agent for FTV in Ukraine. Since I had been to Russia.

before, we exchanged a few Russian words and he looked and sounded entirely truthful. At no point whatsoever did we discuss racing or horses. “As the evening progressed we made arrangements to go on a boat trip the following week as there were Catamaran Rentals in the area and it was a very good experience. Raymond, Brandon and Muzi came along for drinks, a swim and some sunshine. “On the boat, again, Ash made no reference at any stage to being a bookmaker or being involved in racing. As far as we were concerned he was a TV agent for models, operating mainly in Ukraine.” The leaked video shows shots of the people on the Catamaran lying in the sun, having drinks and talking away. Muzi Yeni, jovial by nature, jokes and dances around to cheers and laughter. Vermaak said: “We were just a bunch of guys having fun on a boat. During the afternoon a couple of us joked about Mauritian race caller Shan Ip (known for his loud and often inaudible race commentaries - ed) and we tried to imitate him using the names of different horses like Bulsara, who is long retired. We didn‟t even use the names of horses currently running on the island. The entire incident has been completely overblown!” He concluded: “I am disappointed in the individuals who have not only created malicious rumours around this incident, but are happily spreading the false rumours already circulating. One of the rumours that reached me is that money was arranged on the boat, which is completely untrue and spread by an individual seeking a quick thrill and sensation.” Last Wednesday, Danielson and Lerena were found guilty of a breach of section (k) of their Expatriate Jockey‟s License which states: “No jockey is permitted to contact, deal or otherwise associate or be in any way connected with any bookmaker, bookmaker’s clerk, betting agent or anyone connected thereto. Whenever the Racing Stewards have reason to believe that a jockey has transgressed this clause, the Racing Stewards shall immediately open an inquiry and may take such sanctions as are open to them under Rule 11(d) of the Rules of Racing and make such recommendation as they think fit to the Licensing Committee.” Lerena and Danielson were suspended from riding in races for 3 months each under MTC Rule 11(d). Divya Ringadoo, Chief Executive Officer of the Gambling Regulatory Authority, filed a statement Thursday with the Police of the Games against the protagonists of the case now known as the 'Catamaran Party'. Brandon Lerena was understandably shocked after the guilty verdict against him. “I am a victim. It's the bookmaker that should have been sitting there in my place. How did I know he was a bookmaker? I do not know those people. Their photos are not displayed. I did nothing wrong. I just wanted to have fun with my South African friends, "he said”. - tt.

just pasted here in case some don't subscribe to turf talk (like myself )

copied from a mates Facebook page

got to feel for Brandon lerena

seems a victim here

Thanks Gambler. I can see Justin's motivation...some of those Ukranian woman are real beauties.

Like I've said, I cant help but feel these guys were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I happened to bump into Donovan Habibs son after the movies Monday evening (he was on the cat trip as well) and he gave me the EXACT same story as Justin.

Theres been no other news here concerning the guys, they have appealed against the 3 months suspension and are waiting to hear what the police are going to do about the case.

Thanks Mark

SEEMS LIKE A STORM IN A "TEACUP " blown out of all proportion, & S.A. jockeys fall victim.

How was anyone to know this "modeling agent "was in fact a bookmaker - or Bucket- bookmaker ?

Question is.... why was this footage LEAKED - or did it just appear on someone's facebook ?
Was it taken DELIBERATELY to nail someone ?

The bookie himself was filming the trip, not the sharpest tool in the shed. Must of forwarded to one of his mates and went from there.............................

I heard that the skipper does not hold a valid sea faring license

I actually heard the ukranian model who had drinks with JV and her Agent' has crabs. Unreliable source though.. {scratches self furiously .... mutter mutter}

Without commenting on the issue, did anyone expect a press release stating that they were plotting the outcome of a race? :huh:

There are gaps in the story that are wider than the grand canyon.

There is no explanation how and why 'Raymond, Brandon and Muzi came along for drinks, a swim and some sunshine.'

Then we have Mr Habib Jnr on the same Catamaran. :ohmy:

And we must accept that:-

1. after a drinks Justin Vermaak makes arrangements with the Fashion TV agent who he does not know from Adam for Justin to go on a Catamaran ride with the fellow;

2. Justin Vermaak ends up taking Raymond, Brandon and Muzi with him and to top it all by coincidence another jockey is also there on the same Catamaran?