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Mauritius barrister Yahia Nazroo made a pitstop visit at the Singapore Turf Club on April 5 to sit in as an observer during the Stipendiary Stewards’ raceday operations on that night, and went away with a head brimming with new ideas.
The legal eagle was on hand to attend inquiries chaired by Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Terry Bailey, watch all the eight races on the card from the spectacular vantage point up in the Stewards’ Box, as well as routine inspections at the parade ring and the general post-meeting wrap-up.
Mr Nazroo, who is an Appleby Partner and Head of Litigation in Mauritius and often represents jockeys during appeal hearings on the Indian Ocean island, also took the opportunity to meet the various Club officials, including the President and Chief Executive Mr Chong Boo Ching, as well as the Racing Stewards on duty on that night.
Obviously, the most insightful part of the visit for Mr Nazroo was the race inquiries, be it minor queries to jockeys about their rides or more significant hearings that led to suspensions (there were two meted out and one was adjourned). No objection was lodged on that night.
Mr Nazroo, who also doubles up as a racing photographer on raceday, took down plenty of notes – and traded a few with the members of the STC Stipe panel - and has walked away from the experience absolutely “enlightened”.
“The experience was fabulous. Mr Terry Bailey’s approach to inquiries and the amount of homework that is done before an inquiry is quite notable,” said Mr Nazroo.
“The authoritative manner in which inquiries are held and the respect shown both ways i.e towards those called in for the inquiries and towards the stewards is striking. That mutual respect for each other was really impressive.
“The aim of my visit was to learn from a different jurisdiction how inquiries are carried out and how the stewards approach such inquiries. It’s mission accomplished, and more.
“I would now be able to advise the Mauritius Turf Club and the board of racing stewards on how they can improve.
“It was also great I could meet some of the officials. This can only help strengthen up the ties between the two Clubs.”
Besides saying that the STC’s doors are always open to such initiatives to learn how races are run and policed in Singapore, Mr Bailey also added that no racing club’s an island, and they also derived some benefit from Mr Nazroo’s visit.
“It doesn’t matter where in the world of racing you come from, you don’t stop learning from other jurisdiction’s experiences. It certainly helps in the sharing of ideas,” said Mr Bailey.
“Mr Nazroo clearly had a good mind for the rules of racing and ensuring that procedural fairness is paramount in the sport.
“Racedays for the stewards in Singapore are very busy as we endeavour to deal with most matters during the course of a race meeting as our theory here is justice delayed is justice denied.
“It was nice to meet Mr Nazroo and create a contact with the Mauritius Turf Club and I hope he enjoyed his experience.”
