SA sponsors British raceday

On Saturday, September 20, the Natwest Rowley Mile Racecourse in Newmarket is the venue for Racing South Africa's 2008 promotion of the South African horse racing industry to the hugely knowledgeable racing public in the United Kingdom.

Thanks to the recent exploits of South African racehorses around the world, informed bloodstock investors like Andreas Jacobs, Sabine Plattner, Fieldspring Racing, Gainsborough and Shadwell Studs and, more recently, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and Dr Jim Hay, among many others, have made South Africa one of their first-choice horse racing destinations.

In fact, it is estimated that 25 per cent of all horses in training in Cape Town are paid for by United Kingdom-based owners. Not surprising when one considers that the entry level is nearly one-fifth of the cost in the UK!

Foreign participation

Whereas in the past Barbados was the winter haven for many European racing personalities, South Africa and, in particular, the Cape, has taken over this mantle. Therefore, the Racing South Africa promotion aims to improve foreign participation by providing relevant information about its industry, and to highlight sales and racing events in the coming months and next year.

The last South African promotion at the famous Rowley Mile racecourse was in October 2006, when Racing South Africa sponsored the Houghton Stakes. This time, Racing South Africa has secured the sponsored rights to all races on the seven-race card.

The aim is also to create a special South African theme day which, potentially, could become a standing feature of the UK's racing programme.

This year, Racing South Africa has been fortunate to attract a number of prominent co-sponsors, including Iinvestec Bank, Phumelela Gold Enterprises, Thoroughbred Breeders Association of South Africa, Racing Association, Mary Slack, Mike de Kock International racing and Kenilworth Quarantine Station.

In recognition of the exceptional international achievements of Mike de Kock and his team, Racing South Africa is honoured to name the first race of the day after Mike's International Racing Stables.

The full race programme, televised by racing UK and Tellytrack, is as follows (UK times):

2.10 - MIKE DE KOCK INTERNATIONAL RACING HANDICAP

2.45 - THE RACING ASSOCIATION/SIR PETER O'SILLEVAN MAIDEN

3.20 - RACING SOUTH AFRICA EBF FILLIES H'CAP

3.55 - INVESTEC HANDICAPMain race of the day

4.30 - BLOODSTOCK SOUTH AFRICA PREMIER CLAIMER

5.05 - PHEUMELELA GOLD

ENTERPRISES HANDICAP

5.35 - KENIL WORTH QUARANTINE STATION HANDICAP

The Western Province Owners & Trainers Association, whose original brainchild this initiative was, has continued to support the event and, via chairman Rodney Dunn, Lita Futeran, Bruno Mercurio and Hymen Maisel, will be on hand to promote racing in the Western Cape.

Special features

As a special feature of the day, legendary race caller, Sir Peter O'Sullevan, has agreed to lend his name to the Racing Association's-sponsored race, and will be on hand for the handover of mementos to winning connections. RA CEO, Clyde Basel, is expected to call a race on the day. Naturally, he is hoping to avoid a 30-runner field!

As usual, South African wines will be on display in the members' lawn enclosure, thanks to the generous donations of Graham Beck Wines, L'Ormarins, Avontuur, La Brie and Arabella Wine Estates. To add value, Wines of South Africa, the marketing arm of the wine industry, has sponsored a wine tasting, and renowned winemaker, Pieter de Waal, will fly in to oversee the tasting.

Some of the many tracks in South Africa are Kenilworth, Arlington, Greyville, Durbanville, Torfloutein, Vaas and Fairview.