Jockey Gavin Lerena strikes rival mid-race at Turffontein

A shocking incident occurred at Turffontein, South Africa, where jockey Gavin Lerena struck his rival Jason Gates multiple times with a whip during a race. The altercation, which was captured on video, has drawn widespread condemnation and led to an inquiry by the National Horseracing Authority, which stated that the usual Admission of Guilt option will not be available. Lerena, who was riding the favorite Gimme A Storm, expressed deep regret for his actions, describing them as inconsistent with his character, and apologized to all involved, including horse owners and trainers. He attributed his violent response to perceived provocations from Gates. The incident has raised serious concerns about professionalism in the sport, with calls for accountability from both the racing community and fans. Lerena’s hearing date is yet to be announced.