Horse Racing
“And they’re off!” Horse racing of all types is found in our racing section, including Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Harness, Steeplechase and Arabian racing.
Want to get lucky? Take a look at the Wagering to help guide you. Keep track of upcoming horse races and racing events in our Calendar of Events for Horse Racing.
Want to live the dream of owning a racehorse? Check out the Breeding, Partnerships, Sales & Bloodstocks sections where you can help yourself be a force in the Sport of Kings.
Need a place to train your baby and help develop his successful career? You will find both training facilities and professional racehorse trainers in our Training section. See you in the winners’ circle!
Horse racing has a long and rich history in South Africa, dating back to the early 1800s. The first horse race in South Africa was held in 1802 at Cape Town Racecourse, and the sport has since grown to become one of the most popular spectator sports in the country.
There are two main governing bodies for horse racing in South Africa: the National Horseracing Authority of South Africa (NHA) and the Gold Circle. The NHA is responsible for the regulation of horse racing in South Africa, while Gold Circle is the largest racing operator in the country.
There are over 40 racecourses in South Africa, and horse racing is held throughout the year. The most popular race meeting in South Africa is the Durban July, which is held at Greyville Racecourse in Durban. The Durban July is a Grade 1 race, and it is one of the richest horse races in the world.
Other popular horse races in South Africa include the J&B Met, the Gold Cup, and the Summer Cup. Horse racing is a popular betting sport in South Africa, and there are many opportunities to bet on horse races online or at the track.
Here are some of the most famous horse races in South Africa:
- Durban July: The Durban July is the most famous horse race in South Africa. It is a Grade 1 race, and it is held at Greyville Racecourse in Durban. The Durban July is one of the richest horse races in the world, with a prize pool of over R20 million.
- J&B Met: The J&B Met is another famous horse race in South Africa. It is a Grade 1 race, and it is held at Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town. The J&B Met is one of the most prestigious horse races in South Africa, and it is often referred to as the "Race of Champions."
- Gold Cup: The Gold Cup is a Grade 1 race, and it is held at Turffontein Racecourse in Johannesburg. The Gold Cup is one of the oldest horse races in South Africa, and it is often referred to as the "Race of Kings."
- Summer Cup: The Summer Cup is a Grade 1 race, and it is held at Turffontein Racecourse in Johannesburg. The Summer Cup is one of the most popular horse races in South Africa, and it is often referred to as the "People's Race."
Horse racing is a popular sport in South Africa, and it is enjoyed by people of all ages. The sport is a major source of revenue for the country, and it also contributes to the tourism industry.
Horse Racing - Thoroughbred - South Africa
Jockey Edgar Prado shares the inside scoop on his life as a jockey.
By Ron Mitchell
Read more on BloodHorse.com...
Some aspects of Thoroughbred ownership, from buying a horse at auction to knowing how to select and deal with a trainer, can be daunting.
And while there are no hard and fast rules about how to carry out these activities, the experiences of those who have been there and had success can prove beneficial to others, as those attending the Thoroughbred Ownership at Keeneland found out Oct. 14.
During the four-day conference's second afternoon, one panel discussion shed light on what an owner can expect when buying a horse at auction, while another session delved into the intricacies of trainer selection and offered tips for communicating with that trainer while trying to achieve success on the racetrack.
While there are many different approaches to buying horses at auction, there was a consensus among panelists that a business plan, a budget, and patience are vital. Also, they concurred that assembling a team to assist in the process is an asset.
"Without a plan it's a rudderless ship," said Lexington-based advisor and horse owner Pete Bradley.