THE Markus Jooste situation is turning ugly with the Public Servants Association union planning a protest at the Met, calling for politicians and celebrities to boycott Cape Town’s biggest raceday and for Jooste’s horses to be barred from competing.

The union represents government workers and its pension fund invested heavily in Steinhoff, the company of which Jooste was CEO and whose financial irregularities are still causing headlines. The union has seen its investment decimated.

However, it appears to be under the mistaken impression that racehorse owners (and Jooste was the biggest in the country) make a fortune out of prize money and general manager Ivan Fredericks said: “Jooste will still be part of the horseracing fraternity and will continue to make millions whilst he managed to lose billions in the investments of public servants.

“Jooste has seen no repercussions for his actions whilst public servants’ hard-earned pension money cannot be recouped. We call on all public servants and other affected stakeholders to join the protest march to call for stronger action to be taken against Jooste.”

His absence will be felt at the big Cape Thoroughbreds Yearling Sale in the Convention Centre next weekend when prices look like taking a hit.

This time the sale also includes a small broodmare section with three mares by Galileo coming under the hammer.