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Trainers at Flamingo Park in Kimberley, South Africa's only sand racetrack, have finally been given notice to vacate the premises.
They will be required to have left by Friday, 31 July.
In a letter from Phumelela Gaming, which is licensed to operate horseracing in the country, addressed to Flamingo Park trainers, Jay Harrielal, GM of Operations, wrote: “Despite the easing of the lockdown to Level 3, with so much uncertainty about when such restrictions might be lifted, coupled with the imminent closure of the venue at the end of the year anyway, a decision has now been made by Phumelela to close Flamingo Park as a training and racing centre with effect from 31 July 2020."
Multiple Kimberley champion trainer Cliffie Miller visited Ashburton training centre in Pietermaritzburg with fellow Flamingo-based handlers Jarrett Rugg and Tienie Prinsloo last week and returned happy.
Outspoken about the racetrack’s closure for a long time, Miller told Turf Talk: “This is it, it’s official now and there is no use crying about it. We have to box on. One of my patrons messaged me last week to say, ‘Look at the future and the future alone’, and I accept that.
"The worst thing for all of us will be our leaving of Kimberley. I’ve been here for 42 years, we’ve built our lives here, but we’ll be looking at a new start. I will be moving 50 horses to Ashburton, among them some nice babies by stallions like Visionaire and Mambo In Seattle, and I have the backing of my patrons. There is a grass track to work them, and I’ve had some promises of support from trainers upcountry, and new owners.
“We enjoyed our trip to Ashburton last week, the facilities are good and the trainers were helpful and welcoming. I will be visiting Pietermaritzburg again shortly to secure accommodation. All of us leaving to other centres will be hoping to get some better horses to train in due course, so we’re positive and will now start focusing on things to come.”
With Prinsloo, Rugg and Sarel Smit also considering moves to KZN, trainer Zietsman Oosthuizen has already moved into stables at Fairview in Port Elizabeth.
Miller said that Bill Human and Dennis Cason will probably stay at their private training facilities and raid the Gauteng tracks, and others have not yet finalised plans.
Phumelela will reportedly be visiting Flamingo Park to ensure that the stables are vacated, but thus far there has been no word on whether the trainers or their staff members will be financially assisted with relocation, or with other costs to be incurred.
