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From the desk – September
Dear Members
Welcome to the September edition of ROA Today.
This month 4Racing hosted the Eastern Cape Awards for the 2023/2024 season. The event took place at Fairview Racecourse and was a wonderful and elegant evening, where we were delighted to have both Mr Arun Chadha and Mr Warne Rippon representing ASSM Racing Syndicate, in attendance to collect their award as Champion Owners. For more on the winners as well as a photographic collection of memories of the awards evening, please click here. We congratulate all our champions, both human and equine and wish them a successful season ahead.
I am delighted to announce that this year, nine members have attained Life Member status within the Racehorse Owners Association. This status is awarded for 25 years of uninterrupted membership of the ROA and these members form an essential part of our history and success. They have shown unwavering dedication to the Association, the industry, and the sport of horseracing and their commitment has played a significant role in the growth and development of the Association, while also contributing to the broader horseracing community. We were extremely proud to pay tribute to the newest Life Members at Turffontein, on Saturday 28th of September, where races were named in their honour, and they received a unique gift as token of our appreciation. As three of the Life Members named, hail from the Eastern Cape, we were able to hand over their gifts at the recent awards ceremony. We have highlighted Dr Ashely Parker’s story in this month’s ROA Today Life Member Feature. These members join a long list of distinguished individuals who are true enthusiasts of the game, and we thank them for their support.
Our Highveld feature season gets underway with the running of the Betway Joburg Spring Challenge (G2) and the Betway Joburg Spring Fillies and Mares Challenge (G2) at Turffontein on October 5th, please see booking details here. A notable change to the feature racing programme in the Eastern Cape sees the Racehorse Owners Association Stakes (L) and the Algoa Cup (L) move back to Friday the 25th of October. For bookings in the Bold Silvano Room at Fairview please contact Gail Reider on 083 390 0968.
I take this opportunity to update members and patrons of the Bullring Restaurant at Randjesfontein Training Centre which will be temporarily closing its doors from Monday the 30th of September 2024 until further notice. This decision comes as we prepare for an exciting transformation that will elevate the experience for all. Please bear with us as we follow due processes in ensuring that we reopen a new facility, under new management and a fresh space, designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind. This temporary closure will also allow us to introduce a more improved and versatile event space as well as utilise the restaurant in way that creates an enhanced experience for racehorse owners and trainers. We appreciate your understanding during this transition and encourage you to stay connected with us for updates on further developments, our reopening date, special events and exclusive offers that will be available. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to welcoming you back soon. Please feel free to reach out to us, natalie@racehorseowners.co.za or 011 683 3220 for any queries or suggestions you’d like to make to further enhance the experience at Randjesfontein.
In closing, I was extremely saddened to learn of the passing of David Abery earlier this month. David was a special man who will be missed throughout racing circles. On behalf of the Board and Members of the ROA, I offer our sincere condolences to David’s family and his colleagues at SAEHP. I, personally, learnt so much from David and will certainly miss our long chats about the racing and breeding industry here in South Africa.