Mass resignations at the NHRA

PRESS RELEASE

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that the following National Board Directors shall resign effective close of business on 30 September 2025. 

1. Mrs Susan Rowett (Chairperson)

 Mrs Rowett was appointed to the National Board in terms of Clause 15.4.5.3 as a Member domiciled in the Western Cape Racing District on 23 February 2024. 

1. Mr Satch Mathen

 Mr Mathen was appointed to the National Board in terms of Clause 15.4.5.1 as a Member domiciled in the Central Provinces on 27 January 2021. 

1. Mr Nithia Nalliah

 Mr Nalliah was appointed to the National Board in terms of Clause 15.1.2 as an Independent person on 6 April 2020. 

1. Dr Ashley Parker

 Dr Parker was appointed to the National Board in terms of Clause 15.4.5.4 as a Member domiciled in the Eastern Cape Racing District on 22 January 2020. 

1. Mr Dave Rosevear

 Mr Rosevear was appointed to the National Board in terms of Clause 15.4.5.1 as a Member domiciled in the Central Provinces on 5 June 2020. 

1. Mr Rikesh Sewgoolam

 Mr Sewgoolam was appointed to the National Board in terms of Clause 15.4.5.2 as a Member domiciled in the KwaZulu-Natal Racing District on 26 May 2021.  The remaining non-executive Board Directors and Executive Management of the NHA thank each director for their valuable contribution, having given much of their time and expertise to the ensure the independence and strong regulation, and integrity of the racing industry.

Vee Moodley
Chief Executive 

Dear Members of the NHA

It is with deep sadness that I inform you of my resignation from the National Board of the NHA effective close of business 30th September 2025.

I would like to give you some background and reason for my decision to resign, naturally on a strictly confidential basis.

Earlier this year the Board initiated a review of the NHA constitution and invited input from operators and the stakeholder appointees on the Nominations Committee. Suggestions were received and the Board conveyed their significant concerns on some items. Earlier this month, a meeting was convened with stakeholders for the purpose of engaging on these items, but instead the group, comprising 4Racing, Race Coast, SANTA, and the ROA handed the NHA a draft proposed constitution. The group stated that they will not accept any material changes by the NHA to the draft. The group suggested that the Board should support the draft and call the SGM of its volition, but if it does not, then the group will immediately action a member’s requisition for a SGM as they already have well over the 100 member signatories required.

I believe that the group will shortly be requisitioning a SGM for members to consider their proposed new constitution for the NHA.

Whilst the operators clearly feel entitled by virtue of the operator levy (which is commensurate with the safeguarding the integrity of the race meetings) to have increased influence over the NHA, it is questionable whether it is appropriate and in the best interests of racing industry, for them to have the concentration of power that they want. It is my opinion that the group's proposed constitution is a shameless and monstrous power grab by Race Coast and 4Racing, and to a lessor extent by other entities.

In my view, the group's proposed constitution amount to capture and would severely compromise the independence and autonomy necessary for the NHA to fulfil its role as a strong regulator safeguarding the integrity of the racing industry. There would likely be further damaging consequences as it is doubtful whether a weakened NHA dominated by partisan interests would be able to maintain the high level of independence required for the racing industry to keep its self-regulating status.

I am simply not prepared to play any part as Chair or as director in the holding of this SGM to adopt the proposed constitution. Hence my decision to resign.

It has been an honour to serve on the NHA Board with directors and an executive team who are all solely motivated to uphold the integrity of racing. Without an independent and strong regulator, the integrity of racing will suffer; without fair and clean racing, the industry will surely decline.

Kind regards
Susan Rowett

looks like operators want a say in appointing directors. as i understand currently the nhra board has total control over the nominations proccess and the operators want a say in selecting directors. whilst that obviously does have shades of jooste one has to suggest the operators have sunk massive capital into the operation and have a right to safeguard their investments and reputationally are above trying to make a power grab

The funding should be looked at as Tax, you cannot have more say in a regulatory board that may skew governance. Conflict of interest is a big no no for me.

Having more interaction and challenging the constitution is one thing, controlling the constitution is another. 

I think that some of the issues definitely need to be addressed or the NHA would not have lost certain cases.

Smaller owners cannot believe that racing is not clean or fair or there will be an exodus. As it is there is a dark cloud concerning the open bet and the revenue not going into stakes. This would be a death nail.

Just my opinion.