A Dakota, on its way to Johannesburg crashed near Hennenman in the Free State on 12/04/1988, killing 13 South Africa jockeys and 10 trainers and horse racing officials. There are at least three memorials to those who lost their lives in the disaster.
This memorial was photographed by Clinton Hattingh in 2016 and is at the site of the former Newmarket race course The former Newmarket race course has since been demolished and a race course themed mall now occupies the site.
There is also a memorial at the Turffontein Race Course, and I photographed that one in 2017. The race course is a large area, and I have never been in it before. The security guards were incredibly helpful and courteous and it is thanks to them that I can show images of the memorial.
Turffontein Race Course from the air. (1500 by 959)
The memorial is situated in a fenced off and access controlled area and it is really very beautiful.
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The security guards at the race course had no knowledge of the disaster, but I am sure there are those from the horse racing and aircraft fraternities who do. Fortunately those who lost their lives have not been forgotten and their memory lives on in these two memorials. I am still investigating the 3rd one, and hopefully will find it one day.
DRW © 2016 – 2021. Created 03/02/2015 and 29/03/2017. Special thanks to the staff at Turffontein Race Course for their assistance. Moved to Musings 25/12/20203