Turffontein chaos

......we know that Phum do not employ the grooms but they certainly contribute to their "package" in the form of providing accommodation .....is this adequate....was the ZAR50BAR allocation spent and accounted for to uplift or transform them and offer ongoing livable facilities....:huh:

......not advocating that PHUM roll over and give this oke an office.....FFS meet him halfway and get him a ZoZo hut next to the grooms quarters to make him feel important.....:dry:

The strike or demonstration happened on private grounds owned by phumelela....... during a live, real race meeting......
It had at least a little something to do with them

Chris van Buuren wrote: The strike or demonstration happened on private grounds owned by phumelela....... during a live, real race meeting......
It had at least a little something to do with them

... and Phum needs a contingency plan to mitigate another possible Durban July protest. So too Gold Circle for Greyville.


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Been training horses for about 15 years now. Also started at a minimum wage those days. Mucking out, grooming and leading horses to track every day including those December periods when grooms thought it was the norm just to go home for a month without applying for their annual leave. Never once complained because I wanted to become a trainer. I came from a home with no money, only a single father who worked just to feed the two of us. Today I'm a assistant trainer who has worked at three decent yards. The problem is. Once paid a weekly wage most workers resort to spending their wages on either drinking alcohol or gambling to make that extra. It's sad but true. As my head groom said a week ago. "They don't care about the horses sir it's just about getting their wage at the end of the fortnight" I must say this does not apply to all grooms as at least 20% are not of that opinion. Thats just my thought so please don't lambast me. It's just a opinion from hands on experience.

One of the anc slogans in the old south Africa was no normal sport in an abnormal society. Funny how that holds so true today

i wanna wish Uncle Ormie all the best in his retirement.
he is one of the all time legends of SA Racing.

Bob Brogan wrote: Veteran Ferraris quits training after grooms’ protest
A potentially serious situation was diffused at Turffontein on Saturday when racing officials persuaded a group of about 50 protestors assembled on the racetrack to leave the course so that racing could continue following its interruption after Race 2 on Champions Day.

While racing resumed after a delay of about an hour – the result of a grooms’ protest against working conditions – one sad and unfortunate consequence was the decision by veteran trainer Ormond Ferraris to hand in his licence.

The 87-year old Ferraris, upset and severely stressed by the grooms’ actions, had to be taken to hospital for a check-up and observation when his staff decided to desert the yard around 4am on Saturday morning. He was released on Saturday afternoon and told Turf Talk on Sunday: “I have made my decision, I am giving up training.”

Read More www.turftalk.co.za/veteran-ferraris-quit...fter-grooms-protest/

I believe Mr. Ferraris had about 25 grooms........... i'm guessing MOST will loose their jobs. Perhaps the better grooms will be snapped up.

may this be a lesson to the remaining grooms should Mr. De kock or Tarry do likewise.

these guys aren't going to find other jobs " outside " of this industry. Those of u that are working - BE GRATEFUL THAT U HAVE JOBS - & TRAINERS I hope u are paying the CORRECT minimum wages where applicable.

Good luck to Mr Ferraris , he's sadly seen the erosion of this magnificent sport over the years and must be truly saddened. I'm not sure where the answer lies but I know for one thing this will never end , sadly horse racing will forever be seen as an elitist sport and controlled by the white man , as a result it will be targeted until it is completely destroyed .

elvis discussing this with the boss this morning she would like to see the look on the ferraris grooms faces when the truck loads the first 10 to leave today. that moment when the penny drops.