From the desk – May

Dear Member

As we reflect on another memorable month in racing, I would like to begin by congratulating all the winners and nominees at the Highveld Feature Season Awards. The evening was a fitting celebration of excellence, recognising the outstanding achievements of both our equine and human participants throughout the season.

A special congratulations must go to Champion Owner Suzette Viljoen, and to the connections of Tin Pan Alley, The Wernars Family, Mr Dayalan Chinsammy, trainer Sean Tarry and breeders, Moutonshoek, as this special 4 year old was crowned Champion Horse of the Season. We wish them, and all the season’s award winners, every success in the season ahead.

The awards evening was a truly special occasion, characterised by excellent hospitality, and a wonderful atmosphere that celebrated the very best of Highveld racing. We encourage members to view our recap videos, including a season highlights feature and a beautiful scene-setter capturing the spirit of racing on the Highveld. Click here for more.

While on the subject of celebrating excellence, attention now turns to the 2026 Equus Awards, South Africa’s premier racing awards event. Taking place at The Galleria in Sandton on Tuesday, 18 August, the evening promises to be a celebration befitting the prestige and significance of the Equus Awards within South African racing. We look forward to recognising the nation’s top performers and welcoming the broader racing community to Johannesburg for this landmark occasion.

This month, it was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Greg Blank, a Life Member of the ROA and a longstanding member of the racing community. On behalf of the ROA, I extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him.

Our Life Member of the Month feature continues to showcase the remarkable people who make our sport so special. This month’s feature highlights Elias Miliotis, whose involvement in racing spans several decades and whose story reflects a lifelong passion for the industry. If you have not yet had the opportunity to read his story, we encourage you to do so. Click here for our Life Member feature.

This month, we are also delighted to feature Nadine Backos as our ROA Owner of the Month. Nadine’s story highlights the importance of family, perseverance, and the unique journey that horseracing can offer. Her feature provides wonderful insight into the people behind the sport and is well worth a read. Click here to learn more about Nadine.

On the racing front, the Champions Season in KwaZulu-Natal is now in full swing. We eagerly anticipate the running of the R2 Million Daily News 2000 and the Lucky Fish Woolavington 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville this Saturday. The KZN Champions Season consistently delivers some of the most exciting and competitive racing on the South African calendar, showcasing the very best talent our sport has to offer and building momentum towards a spectacular conclusion to the racing season.

Looking ahead, the Bloodstock South Africa KZN Yearling Sale will take place in Durban on 2 July, during the week’s build-up to the Hollywoodbets Durban July. The sale has become a popular fixture on the racing calendar, generating excitement among owners, breeders, and racing enthusiasts alike. The catalogue is now available, and we encourage members to explore the opportunities on offer. Click here to view the catalogue.

As we prepare for the new season commencing on 1 August, I am pleased to share that the ROA and 4Racing will soon be unveiling a number of exciting initiatives designed to further enhance the ownership experience. Through a collaborative approach and shared commitment to our owners, we are creating new opportunities, improved benefits and more seamless experiences across the racing journey.

I am also delighted to confirm the return of our popular Rise and Shine mornings, where owners will once again have the opportunity to enjoy early morning track work accompanied by a complimentary breakfast while gaining a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation of our equine athletes. Dates for the various training centres will be communicated shortly.

Further announcements will follow in the coming weeks, so I encourage all members to keep an eye on their inboxes for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.

Thank you for your continued support of the ROA and South African racing. I look forward to sharing more exciting developments with you in the months ahead.