From the desk – August
Dear Member
As we welcome the start of a new racing season, it is difficult to believe just how much has happened during the month of August. It has been a busy and exciting month, filled with celebrations, important announcements and, most importantly, plenty of reasons to feel positive about the future of our sport.
One of the highlights was the announcement of the renewal of Betway’s sponsorship of the Summer Cup, which will take place at Turffontein on 28 November 2026. With the theme “Celebrate Summer”, we are already looking forward to what promises to be another spectacular day on the Highveld racing calendar.
With just three months to go, preparations are well underway, and we cannot wait to welcome owners, trainers, jockeys, racing fans and guests to our marquee event. The Summer Cup is one of those special days that brings the entire racing community together, and we look forward to celebrating summer – and racing – in style.
August also gave us the opportunity to celebrate the wonderful women who contribute so much to our industry. On Saturday, the 8th of August, we celebrated Women’s Day at Turffontein in partnership with 4Racing and Avroy Shlain. It was wonderful to recognise the contribution of women across our sport, including our talented female trainers, who had races named in their honour on the day. We were delighted to host them for lunch and celebrate their achievements in what was a truly enjoyable occasion. Garth Towell, CEO of Avroy Shlain said “It was a privilege to be involved again on a most appropriate day and many thanks to the team”.
Another major highlight was the Equus Awards, which returned to Johannesburg for the first time since 2023. By all accounts, it was a wonderful evening and a fitting celebration of our sport. The theme of Legends and Legacy were interwoven throughout the evening, providing an opportunity to reflect on the people, horses and stories that have helped shape South African racing.
Beyond the awards themselves, the evening provided a wonderful opportunity for our racing community to come together, reconnect and simply enjoy one another’s company. It was a celebration of everything that makes our sport so special, and a reminder of the incredible depth of talent and history within South African racing.
The same week also saw the BSA Two-Year-Old Sale at the TBA complex in Germiston. Once again, the sale provided an important platform for breeders, buyers and owners as we look towards the future of our industry. We were particularly pleased to announce an increase in stakes on the Highveld and in the Eastern Cape during the course of the sale. The announcement was extremely well received and represents a further commitment by 4Racing to the future and sustainability of racing within its jurisdictions.
It was also a pleasure to recognise our Owner of the Month, Daniel du Preez, and our Life Member of the Month, Peter Botes. These monthly recognitions give us an opportunity to celebrate the people who contribute to our sport in so many different ways, and we congratulate both of them on their recognition.
Looking ahead, there is plenty more to be excited about.
The launch of Equora is now just around the corner. As previously communicated, Equora will become the new home of the owner experience under the 4Racing brand, with a renewed focus on creating greater value, connection and experiences for owners.
As we move towards the launch in September, I would once again encourage all ROA members to register their interest in Equora. It is important that we actively say “yes” and indicate our interest so that we can ensure you receive all the relevant information as the launch progresses.
Please remember that, as part of this transition, ROA badges will no longer require date bars, and parking discs will no longer be required in their current format. These will be replaced by Equora badges and Equora parking discs.
Please keep an eye on your inbox and look out for communication from the team, including phone calls, as we share more information about Equora and the opportunities that will come with it. Members should also remember that special introductory membership rates are available for a limited period, making this an excellent opportunity to become part of the new owners’ proposition from the outset.
There are also some exciting initiatives to look forward to on the racing front. The recently announced R4.5 million Lucky Fish National Trainer and Jockey Championships will bring an added dimension to the season, providing plenty of excitement and another opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent within our industry.
We look forward to the Eastern Cape Awards on Saturday, 5 September, where we will celebrate the champions, both equine and human, of the Eastern Cape racing community. It is always a wonderful opportunity to recognise achievement and the contribution of so many people to the sport.
Closer to home, we are encouraged by the refurbishment work taking place in the front parade ring at Turffontein. Continued investment in our racecourses and facilities is essential to the future of racing, and these improvements demonstrate an ongoing commitment to enhancing the experience for participants, owners and racing fans alike.
Finally, August also marked a bittersweet moment as we bade farewell to Maggie Sithole, who retired after an incredible 33 years with the company. Three decades of service is a remarkable achievement, and we wish Maggie every happiness and success in her retirement.
As I look back on August, what stands out most is the sense of momentum across our industry. From major sponsorship announcements and increased stakes to investment in our facilities, the celebration of our champions and the launch of a new owners’ proposition, there is a great deal happening.
The new season brings with it new opportunities, new experiences and, hopefully, plenty of memorable days at the races.
I look forward to sharing them with you.
Here’s to a fantastic new season and to celebrating summer together at Turffontein on 28 November.
