A SUGGESTION

After viewing that horrific piece on you tube why dont we give up punting for one day a week. (not on a Monday). Take 50% of what you would have punted for the day and deposit that money into some type of account for Race Horses who no longer race. I am sure most of you in SA know somebody who has land and who could accommodate these horses and maybe set up a riding school and who would like too but due to lack of the finance cannot. With our help maybe we can make this happen for somebody. Not only will we create employment for a few people but most of all we will be giving these horses a safe home, a home free of cruelty, a home full of love.

Cheers Mori, we have the Horse Care Unit here and they were over the moon when Brian gave them his R1,000 winnings in the competition, I am prepared to arrange any contributions that any of the CLAN would like to donate and ensure we give an ex-racehorse a good and safe home.

Listen Guys,

How about this for a suggestion to give money to a very deserving cause.

The deserving cause has arisen from the fact that we all enjoy the spectacle of horse racing; have probably made some money punting (sometimes); and owners and trainers have probably made some money from winning stakes (sometimes) which may, or not, have off-set training fees.

BUT the deserving cause is in fact the later welfare of our once darlings of the track, for what they have done for us (or even what they haven't done for us - but they tried) in that they should be looked after in their retirement/old age and not sent to the knackers yard, or worse be subjected to starvation and cruelty through any lack of care and attention at the end of their racing careers

What I suggest is that the winning stakes money on every race in South Africa should be subject to a levy of 0,5% to be sent to the Horse Care Unit of the SPCA.(or any other registered horse caring organisation).

For example:

Say the average winning stakes are R50 000 (probably on the low side)

0,5% = R250 x 8 races per day = R2 000 x 7 race days per week = R14 000

x 4.3 weeks per month = R60 200 per month x 12 = R722 400 per year.

Now that the sort of money that I'm sure would go a long way to solving the HCU's problems with the rising costs of feed, Vets bills, bedding etc and would allow them to expand their operations to rescue a lot more suffering horses.

As an owner, and as far as I am concerned, 0.5% of the winning stake money is peanuts and a nothing contribution to make to this worthy cause for the priveledge that I have for owning and racing horses, and I am sure that the Racing Authorities could arrange the 0.5% deductions from the stakes money in the same way as they do for jockeys and trainers etc. and put the money into a trust fund and subsequently pay it out once a month to the DESRVING CAUSE.
What do you Guys think ???

Nice one Brian

I guess the next stage would be to send to the RA, they send to the owners and get a response? and if its positive, they could have the deduction put in place and send the proceeds to the DESERVING CAUSE.

Scotia,

I not sure of the workings of the RA and/or if they cover KZN Owners and trainers which I think they do not- which is why we are trying, thanks to Avison Carlisle to resurrect the KZN Owners and Trainers forum. All I know is that when I received a cheque for a win from Gold Cicrle - which believe me is %£$^&ing very seldome I am deducted 17.5% or so, for jockey stuff - Medical Aid? Pension ? Trainers stuff ?? I'm not sure for what as I've never gone ito it, but I wouldn't have any qualms about giving 0.5% of the winning stakes to the SPCA KZN HCU, which , lets be honest about it, we would probably piss it up in the pub celebraring the win!!

I think this has merit, but probably should be a voluntary contribution?

Nicely said Brian but stakes need to be raised accordingly before owners will ever think of a contribution. Easy for Phumelela to say yes to this as it does not effect their coffers .