I was taken riding by my godmother, the late Janet Crowley, whose husband was the chairman of the stipendiary board of the Jockey Club in Cape Town, as a present for my fifth birthday That started me on path that included all aspects of equestrian sport and the natural progression was to racing.
In 1986 I joined the Western Province racing clubs - SA Turf Club at Kenilworth and Cape Turf Club at Durbanville - as assistant handicapper to Mr Chris Lee, and was promoted when he left South Africa the following year. Those were 11 interesting years, during which time i also judged, was clerk of scales and racing manager, whose duties included programming and stable allocation.
Was your family involved?
My family was not involved in racing at all. However my late father Mr Ronald Norval was deputy editor of The Cape Times and he gave me valuable advice during my journalism career as well as becoming increasingly interested in racing.
How did you become a steward?
I had never envisaged being a handicapper till retirement and with that in mind had been talking to the Jockey Club with a view to joining them. It was the halcyon days of racing in South Africa I believe and the Jockey Club was the prestigious ruling body. When offered a position on the stipendiary board in the Western Cape I jumped at the opportunity and have been there for nearly 20 years.
What are some of your daily duties?
The day starts early with visiting the training tracks, either Milnerton or Philippi, in my case the latter, to watch workouts, chat to trainers and jockeys, visit stables and generally be a presence of authority in case any issues need to be dealt with then and there.
Thereafter we go into the office on Kenilworth racecourse, go through the form of meetings to come, deal with issues from the previous day's racing, set up inquiries, and deal with general issues regarding racing. I am also the Apprentice Welfare Officer in the Cape, so that may necessitate having to deal with some issues regarding the apprentices.
Are there any rules which you feel need changing or updating?
The rules are constantly being looked at with a view to changes or updating. Being the regulatory body, the National Horse Racing Authority is aware of the need to stay abreast of international trends and rules. Circumstances dictate that certain rules need to be looked at from time to time, and several rules have recently been changed or deleted.
What are the biggest race meetings you officiate at?
The Cape summer season with all its feature races, including the Met, Queen's Plate, and both Guineas, has just ended and stewards are in attendance at all those. If asked to we also attend race-meetings in other parts of the country on their feature days.
What are your best racing memories?
I am lucky enough to have been in racing for a long time and have seen some of the best horses to race in South Africa. Those in themselves provide wonderful memories. It would be difficult to pick out one, but maybe the sensational dead-heat between In Full Flight and Sentinel in the Cape Guineas at Milnerton. Two top colts giving their all and not being able to be separated at the finish.
There have been so many others, and the clash each season between the best horses of each generation still provides a thrill.
What is your worst experience as a steward?
Objections are always difficult because not everyone can be a winner. So someone is going to be disgruntled and unhappy. These are often unpleasant experiences, but as long as you apply your mind and feel you have been fair, then you have done your job. Dealing with rude or aggressive people at the races is also very unpleasant.
Have you had any mentors or inspirational people in the sport?
I have met many wonderful people in racing who have, in some way or another influenced my life in racing. Maybe not even in the work place, but who through their view on life and inspirational message have contributed. Some of the great trainers of yesteryear were incredible horseman and their knowledge of horses truly amazing.
What advice would you give someone who wished to become a steward?
It cannot only be a job, so a true love of horses and racing is a vital prerequisite. It has its ups and down and one has to be able to deal diplomatically with people, often in a volatile situation.
What does it take to be a successful steward?
One needs to be fair and diplomatic and to always treat everyone the same. Always apply your mind to the given situation, know the rules, and give an unbiased opinion.
What do you think of racing's future?
The industry has changed so much over the years, the demands and the expectations are different. It is much more a numbers game than one based on a love of horses. The crowds of the 70's and 80's have gone and been replaced by an invisible punter who looks at numbers and the exotic bets. Gone are the days of looking at the horses in the parade ring, enjoying the heady excitement of seeing the clash of top horses, and enjoying the atmosphere of being at the races.
Will that change? I dont think so. It has a future, but a different one.
United States / International 
March 05 2013
Email
Print
