JP cops hefty fine for his part in jockey strike fiasco

Anyone who thought last month’s Great Jockey Strike would blow over quickly was being optimistic.

Yes, the Coastal Jockeys Association did issue a grovelling apology for its members refusing to continue riding at Durbanville racecourse on 26 March after officials suspended one of them.

Yes, the case against Grant van Niekerk – the jockey at the centre of the row – was conducted speedily and many racing fans were looking forward to it being consigned to the “Embarrassing History” filing cabinet.

But far too much money was lost by too many people on that wacky Wednesday for accountability and repercussions to be easily waved away.

JP fined

Yesterday, the National Horseracing Authority (NHA) announced a R100 000 fine for jockey JP van der Merwe for joining the strike action – with R50 000 suspended for five years.

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The popular jockey signed an admission of guilt for contravening Rule 72.1.27 “in that he, as a rider who was carded to participate in scheduled races, and without any lawful justification, was party to a protest action which resulted in the abandonment of the race meeting”, read the NHA press release.

Other jockeys given option to acknowledge guilt

The Sporting Post reports that other jockeys involved in the protest also have an option to sign acknowledgements of guilt.

Those who do not will face a further NHA inquiry. This could get uglier and costlier.

The trouble erupted at Durbanville’s midweek meeting when winning jockey Van Niekerk used his post-race interview to criticise the NHA for punishment it had handed him for an earlier infraction of the rules – causing interference to other runners in a race at Kenilworth.

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