The Cape Racing Summer Festival of Racing, spanning from November 2024 to March 2025, has officially concluded – delivering a record-breaking season that surpassed all expectations. Across a total of 26 racedays with eight standout feature racedays, including the prestigious L’Ormarins King’s Plate, World Sports Betting Cape Town MET, and the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas featuring the Kaapse Klopse Voorsmakie, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse became the ultimate destination for horseracing, fashion, and entertainment. With over 60,000 attendees through the gates, Cape Racing has firmly re-established itself as the beating heart of Cape Town’s summer social calendar.
A Season of Unparalleled Attendance and Engagement
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse witnessed an unprecedented surge in attendance, marking one of the strongest turnouts in recent years—a clear reflection of racing’s resurgence and its evolution into a premier lifestyle experience. In addition to the traditional racing crowd, Cape Racing expanded its offerings to attract new demographics. Over the course of the season, there were 19 lifestyle events, including festivals, birthdays, conferences, and year-end functions. The diverse range of activities further solidified Hollywoodbets Kenilworth as a versatile venue for all types of events, ensuring a continuous flow of visitors.
Eight Iconic Racedays
The eight featured race days delivered an unforgettable season. The ever-popular Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas featuring the Kaapse Klopse Voorsmakiehosted in December drew an impressive 20,000 attendees, setting the tone for a spectacular summer. The L’Ormarins King’s Plate lived up to its prestige, with its signature blue-and-white elegance attracting top-tier racehorses and fashion-forward crowds. Meanwhile, the World Sports Betting Cape Town MET made a dazzling comeback, reclaiming its place as the crown jewel of South African horseracing. Adding heart to the action, Royal Raceday hosted in March 2025,delivered not just thrilling competition but also a powerful impact off the track. Supporting The Earth Centre, which provides equine therapy for children with disabilities, and Sisters Incorporated, a safe haven for survivors of gender-based violence, the event – alongside the Monaco Sport of Kings Group – raised R200,000 for these vital causes.
The Future in Motion: Merging Art with Racing
This season also saw Cape Racing break new ground by introducing a cultural element to the racecourse. The Future in Motion exhibition, a collaboration between Cape Racing and Art School Africa, opened in December 2024. Running until March, the exhibition featured the works of 27 emerging artists from across the African continent, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents in a space traditionally reserved for horseracing. The exhibition included artists from South Africa, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, with works that explore themes ranging from African identity to the role of sport in society. The Future in Motion reflects the growing influence of contemporary African art and its ability to resonate beyond the traditional gallery space. This initiative further positions Hollywoodbets Kenilworth as more than just a racing venue—it is a multifaceted destination that brings together sport, culture, and creativity.
The Trackside Market: A New Favourite on Cape Town’s Market Scene
Cape Town is famous for its vibrant weekend markets, with over 60 spread across the city, attracting crowds eager to discover its eclectic offerings. In response, Cape Racing expanded its trackside market, transforming it into a dynamic destination that competes with the city’s best. Featuring a carefully curated selection of great food, artisanal crafts, and thrift-style retail finds, the market perfectly complemented the high-energy raceday atmosphere. This transformation elevated Hollywoodbets Kenilworth into a premier lifestyle hub, seamlessly blending live entertainment with exciting social experiences for a truly unique day out. Over the course of the season, 785 market stalls and 35 bars were activated and contributed to the lively festival vibe. A highlight was the remarkable turnout of families, with 4,000 children experiencing the thrill of the races, while a total of 4,500 slushies and 4,500 servings of popcorn were served, showcasing just how much the kids enjoyed the experience.
Three-Year-Old Titans Dominate Season
The season was highlighted by two exceptional three-year-olds—One Stripe and Eight On Eighteen. One Stripe, trained by Vaughan Marshall, won both the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas featuring the Kaapse Klopse Voorsmakie and the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, and now heads overseas as an international star. Eight On Eighteen, trained by Justin Snaith, claimed victories in the World Sports Betting Cape Town MET and SplashOut Cape Derby. Other standout performances included Gimme A Prince, South Africa’s highest-rated horse at 134, who won the HKJC World Pool Cape Flying Championship and the Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes. The season also saw victories from Asiye Phambili, Rainbow Lorikeet, and Holding Thumbs, alongside notable wins from Black Cheetah and Fatal Flaw. The season’s 26 race meetings showcased South Africa’s horseracing at its best.
A Season Defined by Growth & Innovation
Reflecting on the season, Cape Racing’s Chief Operating Officer, Donovan Everitt, emphasized the ground-breaking success and momentum the brand has built: “This was a defining season for Cape Racing. We set out to elevate the experience, and the results speak for themselves. From sold-out events to record-breaking attendance, we’ve positioned horseracing as not just a sport, but as an all-encompassing entertainment and lifestyle experience. Hollywoodbets Kenilworth was alive with energy, and seeing the track filled with both long-time racing fans and a new wave of racegoers was truly inspiring. This is only the beginning—Cape Racing is back, bigger and better than ever.”
Record Stakes and Stronger Industry Support
This season exceeded expectations not only in attendance and overall raceday experience but also in the strength of the racing stakes. A total of R61,237,500 was awarded in gross racing stakes, with R59,528,500 distributed in net stakes.
Cape Racing reaffirmed its commitment to the backbone of the sport by investing in the people who keep it running. In addition to the customary 1% of stakes that grooms receive, several targeted initiatives delivered direct financial rewards. The Cape Racing/Hollywoodbets Winning Groom bonus was increased to R2,000 per winner, while additional incentives were provided through Khaya Stables’ Star Grooms initiative and Main Chance Farms’ Best Turned Out awards. Furthermore, World Sports Betting offered extra bonuses for non-feature races—R5,000 for each of four races at the Cape Town MET and R12,500 per groom for ten races at Big Cap.
The total value of these contributions is significant:
- Cape Racing/Hollywoodbets Grooms: R520,000
- Khaya Stables Grooms: R280,000
- World Sports Betting: R20,000 000
- Main Chance Farms Best Turned Out: R234,000
- Big Cap: R142,000
These combined efforts not only uplift the individuals directly involved but also underscore the broader economic contribution of horseracing. By creating jobs, supporting families, and driving financial inclusion, the sport is reclaiming its status as a premier entertainment and lifestyle experience while solidifying its role as a significant economic and social contributor.
The Road Ahead
Cape Racing is looking ahead with bold ambitions. With world-class facilities and the proven ability to host large-scale international events, the 2025/26 season promises to build on this momentum – delivering an even grander and more immersive racing experience. From the sold-out L’Ormarins King’s Plate and World Sports Betting Cape Town MET to the record attendance at the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas featuring the Kaapse Klopse Voorsmakie, Cape Racing has set a new benchmark. The future of horseracing in Cape Town has never looked brighter.