Racing at Clairwood abandoned amid punter fury

The odds-on favourite, My Sanctuary, was impeded at the start of the Kings Pact Stakes by her gate opening slowly, and finished in third place.

Clairwood stewards adjudged that the result of the race, won by War Path, should be allowed to stand in accordance with National Horseracing Authority (NHA) rules.

Gold Circle, the South African racing authority, said the remainder of the meeting had to be abandoned as the safety of the jockeys and horses in the last three races could not be guaranteed.

A statement read: “Members of the public at Clairwood staged a protest and, despite the presence of members of the South African Police services, neither the NHA or Gold Circle could guarantee the safety of the riders and horses scheduled to participate in races seven, eight and nine. As a consequence, it was decided to abandon these races.”

Tex Lerena, chairman of the South  African Jockeys Association, played down reports the Clairwood weighing room had been stormed by rioting punters. Lerena said: “I understand it all came about because the starting gate opened slowly on the favourite. The stewards made a call to allow the result to stand, which wasn’t to the satisfaction of a group of disgruntled racegoers.

“People were clearly upset.”