Cape Ushers In Its Racing Renaissance

The Cape Racing renaissance has come full circle as Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse completes its revamp into a groundbreaking year-round lifestyle destination. 

The transformation of the course has been nothing short of remarkable, breathing new life into the much-loved sport of horse racing in the Cape. The vision for the iconic venue is to become a 365-day-a-year, 24/7 lifestyle and entertainment complex where the sport and stakeholders will benefit, as well as the
local community. 

“January will be bookended by two thrilling spectacles that celebrate fashion, art and the passion for equestrian excellence in equal measures,” says Cape Racing’s chief operating officer Donovan Everitt.  

“South Africa’s most prestigious and longest-standing horse-racing event, the 163^rd annual L’Ormarins King’s Plate, will return to the newly renovated Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 6 January, while the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met will close off the month on 27 January.” 

Glitz and glamour

“Both events promise world-class racing coupled with out-of-this-world fashion, scrumptious food and live entertainment, and we are excited to showcase the spectacular transformation of Hollywoodbets Kenilworth as a reimagined venue with upgraded experiences for all our patrons,” adds Everitt. 

In Cape Racing’s Summer Season of Champions, there will be an exhilarating masquerade of high fashion, elegance, fabulosity and glamour on offer week after week as the course vies to become Africa’s number one horse-racing destination.  

January will start with and bring together the elite of South African horse racing for a celebration of art, passion and equestrian excellence in the famous King’s Plate, known for the sky-blue colours of Drakenstein Stud. 

At the tail end of January, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth will host the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met. Historically, it is one of the country’s biggest and most esteemed racing events. The Met’s theme is “Cape Splendour”, a term coined by Cape Racing as a tribute to the rich racing history of Cape Town and a celebration of all the glitz, glamour and glory of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. 

The stage is set for heart-pounding racing as jockeys vie for supremacy on World Sports Betting Cape Town Met Day, which runs alongside the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship, the Gr1 Majorca Stakes, the Gr3 Western Cape Stayers, the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes and the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes on a bumper day’s racing. 

The Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby Seafood and Jazz Festival concludes the Cape’s Summer Festival on Saturday 24 February, supported by the Gr2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes, the Gr3 Vasco Prix Du Cap, the Gr3 Cape of Good Hope Nursery, and the Listed Jet Master Stakes.