THE Racing Association have paid R3,879,000 to trainers around the country this month.

Since the RA’s Covid-19 relief fund was announced last month, 97% of trainers submitted claims and most have been paid out, at R1000 per horse in their care, covering the month of May.

The RA’s figures make for interesting reading. It shows that there are about 3,879 horses domiciled at training centres in the Phumelela regions of the Highveld, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape and with trainers at private establishments.

Of some concern would be the small horse populations in the Eastern Cape (633) and the Western Cape (839). A good number of unraced horses are reflected, which brings the sustainability of those centres into question.

That said, there exists now very good opportunities for trainers from the apparently over-populated Gauteng and the heavily-battling Kimberley to relocate to Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. This will boost the horse populations, refresh the training ranks and give those regions renewed strength and a good chance of long-term survival.