This morning my thoughts are with the loyal owners and all others dependent on racing at Borrowdale Park who expected to be racing today.

Yesterday afternoon the Mashonaland Turf Club said today’s race meeting had been abandoned “on the instruction of the NHRA”. Obviously, the MTC has fallen behind with due payments for policing racing in Zimbabwe, but it has been no secret, for many years, that Borrowdale Park has had to battle to survive. I was shocked and amazed the NHRA would choose to deliver this kick in the teeth.

Racing, to be credible, must be governed by rules and regulations and I have never had a quarrel with that. However, surely the NHRA could wait for their money until the situation improves – even if they couldn’t care one way or another if racing at Borrowdale Park continues.

The Turf Club has had to deal with historical debt, and in doing so has to prioritise when and to whom payments are made. Stakes have been drastically reduced, and sources of additional income are constantly sought. I am not qualified to go into the financial difficulties which currently beset Zimbabwe as a whole, but this should also be considered.

I have never been employed, or retained, in any way, by the MTC. However, as a journalist for more than 60 years, I keep my ear to the ground. I believe that the NHRA, sometime in 2022, requested a monthly fee of US$3000 for their services in Zimbabwe, and a sum of $10 500 is currently outstanding. Under the circumstances, and if this information is correct, this seems commendable. It is surprising some agreement to resolve this problem has not been reached.

Being conversant with the rules of racing I am aware that because of this ‘rant’ the NHRA may accuse me of bringing racing into disrepute – and I could lose my colours which I have had since 1978. Be that as it may. I can no longer afford to own and race a ‘whole’ horse anyway. This needs to be said, and whatever the outcome I am, fortunately, too old to care.

Sheldene Chant