From the desk – October

Dear Members

Welcome to the latest edition of ROA Today.

October has been filled with numerous exciting announcements and as the feature racing season really gets into gear, I believe the next few months will deliver even more exhilarating experiences, new developments as well as competitive racing. The action kicks off this weekend with no less than 6 feature races to be run at Turffontein Racecourse. The Allied Steelrode – Onamission Charity Mile (G2) run over 1600m is the main feature on the day and others include the Betway Graham Beck Stakes (G3), the HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes (G3), the Allied Steelrode Yellowwood Handicap (G3), the Allied Steelrode Golden Loom Handicap (L) and the Allied Steelrode Java Stakes (L). This charity raceday always provides something special and enormous thanks must go to the generous sponsors, Mr Arun Chadha, Mr Warne Rippon and their Allied Steelrode team.

This weekend also sees the South African flag flying high at the prestigious 2024 Breeders’ Cup World Championships held at Del Mar in California. Two local champions, Isivunguvungu, who starts in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (Race 5 at 21h41) and Beach Bomb in the Breeders’ Cup F&M Turf (Race 9 at 00h25), will be in action on Saturday, 2 November. Tune in to Gallop TV or Racing 240 to view these two equine champions in action.

During the month of October, 4Racing announced a substantial increase in Stakes for the racing season, with an overall rise of just over 10%. This welcomed and positive news only further continues to foster investment and enhance the sport’s competitiveness and sustainability, and we are also grateful to the sponsors involved, who have enabled these increases to be put in place ahead of a thrilling feature racing season.

This last Friday saw the running of the 2024 Betway Algoa Cup (L) at Fairview Racecourse. The event included the Racehorse Owners Association Stakes (L) for 3-year-olds over 1600m. Congratulations to all winning connections on this popular raceday. Please click here for a special round up of events.

Staying in the Eastern Cape, Charl Pretorious shines a light on the racing community stepping up for riders and rescued horses in his regular “Off the Record” article. Please click here for details on this joint initiative between the Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust, the Racehorse Owners Association and 4Racing, where there was a handover of brand-new riding gear to local Work Riders on Algoa Cup race day, to the value of R123,000. The ROA is incredibly honoured to be able to provide its support to the 4Racing Work Riders’ Programme in the Eastern Cape. This extension of the Thoroughbred Racing Development Centre, the school lead by James Maree, is a wonderful example of supporting upliftment programs and a great way to contribute to community development and effect positive social change. This collaboration further emphasises the power of partnerships and that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts.

This month, we highlight the National Horse Trust, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting equine welfare, rescuing neglected and abused horses, and empowering communities. Please click here to learn more about their work and how you can possibly offer support or assistance from both an administration or fundraising point of view.
Looking forward to later in the month of November, the Betway Summer Cup Day promises to be one of Joburg’s most exciting events. Experience the adrenaline on the track and the vibes off it, our monthly lucky draw competition closes early this month, so please get your entries in to win 2 sets of 4 tickets to the Silks In The City Summer Garden on Betway Summer Cup Day 30 November 2024.

I was extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Shaheen Shaw suddenly on October 23rd. On behalf of the members and directors of the ROA, I offer my sincerest condolences to Shaheen’s family, friends, colleagues and fans. He will be sorely missed.
In closing, I wish all our members well and as we move closer to the end of 2024, we have much to reflect on. I am excited for the feature season ahead and to celebrate all the equine achievements still to come.

See you at the races.

Warm regards

Natalie Turner