From the desk – June

Dear Member

As we enter the final month of another memorable racing season, there is no event that captures the excitement and anticipation of South African racing quite like the Hollywoodbets Durban July. This Saturday, all eyes will be on Hollywoodbets Greyville for the country’s premier horse racing event, a day that brings together the very best of our sport and captures the imagination of racing enthusiasts and the broader public alike. While the season concludes later this month with the World Pool Gold Cup meeting, the Hollywoodbets Durban July remains the flagship event on our racing calendar, and we wish every owner, trainer and connection represented in the field the very best of luck.

The outcome of Saturday’s feature races will also have an important bearing on the Equus Awards. Our latest Equus log standings, published during June, will be updated following the Durban July and shared with the industry. With less than two months to go until the Equus Awards on 18 August, we eagerly anticipate celebrating the outstanding achievements of our equine and human champions from the 2025/26 season.

This month’s newsletter also shines a spotlight on one of racing’s hidden gems — The Acreage at Randjesfontein Training Centre. Whether you’re watching the morning trackwork over a freshly brewed coffee or enjoying a relaxed breakfast, lunch or early dinner, The Acreage offers a truly unique experience. With its beautiful surroundings, welcoming atmosphere, delicious menu and extended operating hours, it has become a wonderful destination not only for racing participants but for anyone looking to enjoy quality food in a peaceful setting. We are also delighted to announce that we will be hosting another of our popular Trackside Breakfasts at The Acreage during July, giving members the opportunity to experience the excitement of morning trackwork while enjoying exceptional hospitality. Invitations will be sent out over the coming week, so be sure to keep an eye on your inbox. And while you’re reading this month’s newsletter, don’t forget to enter our latest competition, where you could win one of two dining vouchers to enjoy everything The Acreage has to offer. I encourage you to pay them a visit.

It also gives me great pleasure to announce our newest ROA Life Members. Life Membership is one of the Association’s highest honours, recognizing individuals whose unwavering commitment, loyalty and contribution have helped shape both the ROA and South African racing over many years. Their dedication has strengthened our Association, and we are immensely proud to welcome them into this distinguished group. Click here to see this year’s list of honourees.

This month we also pause to remember the late Ormond Ferraris, a legendary horseman whose contribution to South African racing spanned generations. On behalf of the Racehorse Owners Association, I extend our sincere condolences to the Ferraris family, his friends and colleagues. Ormond’s passion for the sport, his professionalism and his remarkable legacy will continue to inspire the racing community for many years to come.

We also extend our warmest congratulations to ROA Life Member, Laurence Wernars on the purchase of Klawervlei Stud Farm. This exciting investment reflects a continued commitment to the future of South African thoroughbred breeding and racing. We wish Laurence every success in this new chapter and look forward to seeing Klawervlei flourish even more in the years ahead. To read more about this exciting development, please click here.

June is also Youth Month, making it especially fitting that we celebrate the next generation of our sport. We are delighted to feature Ethen Fegen as our Owner of the Month, highlighting the enthusiasm and fresh perspective that younger owners bring to racing. Alongside him, we profile our Life Member of the Month, Fred Heydenrych, whose lifelong commitment reminds us of the rich heritage and enduring relationships that define our Association.

As one season draws to a close, another exciting chapter is already taking shape. July promises more outstanding feature racing before we gather in August to celebrate our champions at the Equus Awards.

Finally, I encourage all ROA members to keep a close eye on their inboxes over the coming weeks. In collaboration with 4Racing, we will soon be unveiling an exciting new owner-focused membership proposition for the new season, together with enhanced membership benefits and hospitality offerings. As valued ROA members, you will be among the first to hear about these exciting developments and the opportunities they will bring. We look forward to sharing more details with you very soon.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of the Racehorse Owners Association. I wish everyone a safe, enjoyable and successful Hollywoodbets Durban July weekend, and I look forward to seeing many of you at the races throughout July as we bring another memorable season to its conclusion.