By: Alistair Cohen
The Cape Summer Festival Of Racing begins on 23 November 2024 and extends to 16 March 2025 giving patrons and racing fans nearly an extra month of the best quality racing action one can find. A variety of events are planned to revolve around these major days so book your tickets via Quicket and fill up your diaries to see the crème de la crème of horses in South Africa at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
It all begins with the Cape Punters Cup. The traditional pointer to the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas gets tongues wagging and is an early indication to which three-year-olds are heading to the top. One Stripe, Eight On Eighteen, Captain West and Boundless Energy could lock horns as they look to climb to Gr 2 glory. The event also incorporates the Community Fest which serves as a great opportunity to give back to charity.
The World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas will be hosted on 7 December. The theme of the day of Sip & Shop sounds like a perfect setting for a Cape Town summer afternoon. A race vital to the South African breed could see a few visitors from out of town have a tilt at the first Gr 1 race of the Cape Summer Festival Of Racing. It is almost a pity that the WSB Green Point Stakes serves as a backup feature. A few decades ago this race was the scene of one of the best races staged when Legal Eagle claimed his third victory in the Green Point. That famous day he accounted for Undercover Agent, Do It Again and Rainbow Bridge with short heads between them.
The Kaapse Klopse are in full force at the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas which creates a special vibe. Their energy and vibrancy is something to behold. One of the most important three-year-old races on the South African calendar on 14 December. Pivotal to potential stallion aspirations, this is always a must-see Gr 1 which has produced some household names. The undercard has a major pointer to the WSB Cape Town Met and weirdly, a window to the Hollywoodbets Durban July, and the Ridgemont Highlands Peninsula Handicap.
The Christmas fare comes from the De Grendel Cape Merchants on 22 December. To align with an institution like De Grendel is a perfect way to usher in some Christmas cheer. Normally the most competitive feature of the season because it is a handicap, this race gives some under the radar sprinters a leg-up for the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship and the Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes.
2025 kicks off with the classiest event of the year with the L’Ormarins Kings Plate. 4 January is when your best blue and white needs to be worn to be part of the purest Grade 1 Weight For Age race in South Africa. Many come from near and far to be present at the raceday which often draws the best horses. Reigning Horse Of The Year, Dave The King conquered Durban during winter and he is expected to dock in Cape Town with this as his mission. Tickets will be on sale from late November. Make sure you don’t miss what is always a memorable day of tradition, class and high-quality racing.
The marquee day of the Cape Summer Festival Of Racing is the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met on 25 January. Couture Unleashed is the theme of this prestigious event which often sells out. Some racing heroes over the years include Horse Chestnut and Pocket Power. The stake of R5 Million should attract the best horses from Johannesburg and Durban. Earlier that week the newly named Summer Sale gives dreamers the chance to purchase a future Met winner. Always a winning weekend. Tickets are already on sale through Quicket.
Gear up for the Cape Derby on 22 February which includes the Seafood and Jazz Festival which has been a hit for many years. The race itself saw Green With Envy start his string of Gr 1 wins through 2024 as he added his name to the illustrious list of luminaries. Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Oriental Charm ran third in the exact same race. This is the final Gr 1 race of the Cape Summer Festival Of Racing but not the last big day.
The newly added Cape Racing Sales Big Cap for R5 Million will be run on Sunday 16 March. The race is for graduates of the 2022 CRS Ready To Run Sale and all CRS Sales through 2023, this promises to be a rush for the huge winning prize. Naturally this meeting runs side-by-side with the well placed Premier Yearling Sale which runs over two days from 14 March.
Throughout the 8 festival days, various activations will include food trucks, al fresco dining, live entertainment, and summer markets. For kids, there will be a zone with a petting zoo, jumping castles, and a gaming area, alongside art installations and fashion shows, ensuring fun for all as we celebrate new racing heroes.
