From the desk – December
Dear member
Welcome to the December edition of ROA Today!
As we bid farewell to another year, I’m proud to present the final edition of our newsletter for 2024. This year has been filled with achievements, challenges and unforgettable moments, both on and off the track, and we, at the ROA, are grateful to have shared it with you.
The Betway Summer Cup Day, a flagship day for racing on the Highveld, exceeded expectations for both seasoned racegoers and new participants to the sport alike. It was a memorable day, with inspired racing and an impressive crowd, the likes of which I have not seen at the “Big T” for some time. I must congratulate 4Racing on a remarkable event and I hope the momentum of this successful day filters throughout the remainder of the feature season. Click here for a recap of the day.
In last month’s edition of ROA Today, I touched on our strategic pillars, and how, through our collaborative efforts with 4Racing, we are well on the way to achieving the specific objectives set out by the ROA Board. Reflecting on the past year, one standout example of successful collaboration, is the Grooms’ Initiative undertaken in partnership with 4Racing. In the article below we explore how this unified approach, the introduction of enhanced services and how those have been utilised over the past year, have led to a new era of stability and growth and we look forward to a revised culture of care and collaboration. Please click on Empowering the Heart of the Racing Industry.
This month, I am also extremely delighted to announce the continuation of ROA Bonus Races in 4Racing jurisdictions from January to March 2025. This equates to a contribution of R1.5 million over the next 3 months, so please do ensure your membership and those of your racing partners are up to date in order to ensure eligibility. A schedule of ROA Bonus Races for January 2025 can be viewed here.
As previously communicated, exciting changes are underway at the restaurant at Randjesfontein. The renovation and revamp promise to create a more vibrant and welcoming space for all. In the meantime, we’re ensuring that you still have a delightful experience during this transition. To keep the spirits high and the caffeine flowing, we’ve set up an early morning coffee truck on selected days throughout December and January. This temporary measure will allow you to grab your favourite brew while enjoying the fresh air and relaxing atmosphere. We appreciate your understanding and support during the renovations, and we can’t wait to unveil the transformed restaurant soon. Stay tuned for updates, and don’t forget to stop by the coffee truck for a warm drink as we countdown to the official reopening!
In the Western Cape, Cape Racing continues to produce and stage an exciting feature racing season. It really is just getting started and next month’s LÓrmarins King’s Plate takes place on January 4th, 2025. Steeped in tradition and prestige, the L’Ormarins King’s Plate is the oldest horse racing event in South Africa bearing international significance. I’m also pleased to note that the 2025 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET will be staged at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 25th January 2025, with the theme Couture Unleashed. Tickets and Hospitality packages are available via Quicket.
Please note the ROA administration offices will be closed from Tuesday 17th December 2024 to Friday 3rd of January 2025. Please see below for information on bookings, membership and contact details over the festive period.
In closing, I would like to thank the Board members and staff of the ROA for their support. The Board’s dedication to our mission and vision has been instrumental in navigating the challenges we’ve faced over the year and in achieving our goals. In the office, our small team has continued to execute their roles with commitment, diligence and a positive attitude and for this, I am extremely grateful.
I wish you all a happy and healthy festive season and for those taking a much-needed break, I wish you well and to come back refreshed and revitalised. I look forward to a successful and prosperous 2025 for all.
