From the desk – March
Dear Member
As we head into one of the most exciting weekends on the Highveld racing calendar, all eyes turn to Champions Day this Saturday at the Big T. With a superb programme featuring eight graded races, including three Grade 1 contests and five Grade 2 events, the day promises top-class racing at its very best. Of particular excitement is the possible culmination of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara, where Hazy Dazy may etch her name into the history books. We extend our very best wishes to all owners, trainers, jockeys, and connections for a fantastic and successful day’s racing.
In the lead-up to this prestigious raceday, the ROA, in partnership with 4Racing hosted a unique barrier draw event on Monday, 23rd of March in the Centenary Room, Turffontein Racecourse. The day brought together connections and industry stakeholders for the draws of all three Grade 1 features — the TAB Computaform Sprint, the TAB Empress Club Stakes, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge. With the themes of speed, grace, and power thoughtfully woven throughout the experience, the event was well attended and warmly received by all.
We look forward to hosting more initiatives of this nature — occasions that not only elevate the profile of our Grade 1 programme, but also create meaningful moments for owners and connections. To have a runner at the highest level of the sport is a significant achievement, and it is important that these milestones are acknowledged and celebrated in a way that reflects their prestige and importance.
The ROA hosted a successful Annual General Meeting on the 16th of March. Thank you to all members who submitted their proxy forms. A summary of the day’s proceedings is available here.
It also gives me great pleasure to recognise our recent ROA Owner of the Month, Michael Havenga and our Life Member of the Month, Reginald Mayhew. These acknowledgements are an important way for us to celebrate the individuals who bring passion, commitment, and vibrancy to our sport. At the heart of the ROA is a community of members who share a deep love for racing, and it is your continued support and involvement that enables us to grow and strengthen the industry for the benefit of all. Together, we are building something meaningful, a collective that values ownership, camaraderie, and the future of South African racing.
We also commend the team behind the recent East Cape Horse Care Unit raceday at Fairview, which was a resounding success. The event raised significant funds for an incredibly worthy cause, and we extend special thanks to Dorrie Sham for her outstanding efforts in securing sponsorship, to 4Racing for delivering a memorable raceday experience, and to all the sponsors whose generous contributions made the day possible. For more information on the event, click here.
Looking ahead, we are very excited about the upcoming BSA National Yearling Sale, taking place at the TBA Complex in Germiston this April. The ROA will be present alongside 4Racing throughout the week leading up to the sale, as well as during the sales days themselves. We warmly encourage all members, prospective owners, and friends of racing to come and visit us. It’s a wonderful opportunity to engage, learn more about ownership, and be part of the energy and anticipation that surrounds this important event. You can find the online catalogue at https://bsa.co.za/event/national-yearling-sale-11/
As we move toward the end of April and the Championships Finale, we are also looking ahead to one of the highlights of our calendar, the Highveld Feature Season Awards, which will take place on 16 May 2026 at Turffontein Racecourse. This special evening will celebrate and honour the champions, both equine and human, whose performances have defined the season. Recognising excellence at every level of the sport is vital, and we are proud of the platform that acknowledges these outstanding achievements. Further details will be shared in the coming weeks.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and commitment to the ROA. We look forward to seeing many of you trackside and at our upcoming events.
