From the desk – April
Dear Member
April has been an exceptionally full and rewarding month for racing, marked by a vibrant calendar of events both on and off the track.
We began the month on the back of Champions Day on the 4th of April, which delivered a superb day of racing with outstanding performances across the board. This set the tone for what would become a truly memorable few weeks.
Soon thereafter, we gathered for the Hennenman Memorial Raceday held at Turffontein to honour and remember the lives lost in a plane crash on 12 April 1988, and the lasting impact they left on our racing community. The wreath-laying ceremony remains a poignant and important tradition on our calendar, and we were honoured to host friends, family and colleagues of those who lost their lives in this dreadful tragedy.
The momentum continued with the Bloodstock South African National Yearling Sale, which once again underlined the strength and resilience of South African breeding. The calibre of yearlings presented, combined with the strong participation from buyers and owners, reflects the continued confidence in the future of our industry. It is encouraging to see such sustained investment and belief in the sport at every level. The ROA was thrilled to have presence in the yard for the full viewing week before the sale and thoroughly enjoyed engaging and interacting with members, established owners and new participants to the sport.
We also welcomed the announcement of increased Stakes by 4Racing across both the Highveld and the Eastern Cape regions. This is a significant and very welcome development for our sport, ensuring competitiveness and providing meaningful support to owners, breeders, and trainers alike. Our sincere thanks go to 4Racing for this continuous commitment to racing.
All of this built toward a spectacular finale to the Highveld season. Following the delay from Saturday, 25 April, we concluded the season with Championships Finale Raceday earlier this week. It was a fantastic day, with competitive fields, excellent racing, and favourable weather. A fitting conclusion to a memorable campaign.
My sincere thanks go to all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes throughout this period. From track and hospitality teams, our operations teams on the ground, to administrative staff, production, and broadcast – your dedication, often under challenging circumstances, has been instrumental in delivering a successful season.
Beyond the track, we are delighted to feature Devin Heffer as our ROA Owner of the Month, whose enthusiasm and commitment, continue to make a meaningful impact. It was a pleasure learning more about his own personal story as well as his racing journey with Hollywoodbets.
We are equally proud to chat with long-standing life member Bernard Kantor, reflecting on his remarkable contribution to racing and breeding over many years. I encourage you to explore both features, each offers insightful and enjoyable reading.
As we close out the Highveld Feature Season, we now look ahead to the Highveld Feature Season Awards taking place on Saturday the 16th of May at Turffontein Racecourse. This prestigious evening will celebrate both our equine and human champions, culminating in the announcement of prestigious Highveld Horse of the Season.
Before then, we turn to the Eastern Cape, where the WSB East Cape Derby (L) will be run on Friday, the 8th of May at Fairview Racecourse. Alongside it, the Dahlia Stakes (L) promises an exciting day of racing. We look forward to welcoming you to Fairview for what is always a highlight on the calendar.
It was with great shock and sadness we heard of the passing of Vaal-based trainer Jannie Borman on Saturday, 4 April 2026. Jannie was a respected and valued member of the racing community, known for his quiet dedication, horsemanship, and enduring love for the sport. On behalf of the directors and staff of the ROA, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this time.
As always, we extend our sincere thanks to all our members for your ongoing support and passion. The ROA remains steadfast in its commitment to representing owners and contributing to a vibrant, sustainable future for South African racing.
