KwaZulu-Natal horse racing gets R500 million boost thanks to Hollywoodbets
On the eve of the launch of the 2025 Champions Season on Saturday, South African horse racing awoke to a brand new chapter in its history on Thursday with the news that the acquisition of Gold Circle by the Hollywood Sportsbook Holdings group (Hollywood/Hollywoodbets) has received the final stamp of approval of the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority (KZNERA).
In a transaction that dates back to the commencement of negotiations in 2023, and culminating in a Special General Meeting of Members in September of that year, KZN racing is set to benefit from a R500 million (and rapidly escalating) rescue injection by Hollywood in a seriously ambitious and committed plan to resurrect the failing industry in the richly culturally diverse province that has enjoyed a passionate following of the sport for well over a century.
It is a reality that, given the combination of the prevailing economic climate and dramatic changes in the betting landscape, horse racing countrywide has languished in the doldrums for a large part of the 21st century.
The move by Hollywoodbets is thus seen as the dawn of a new era of management and capitalisation, that will introduce a focus on the best utilisation of resources, while embracing a wider universal appeal that will keep pace with ever evolving modern entertainment trends, directed at a wider customer market.
The investment by Hollywoodbets is set to ensure job security for the estimated 6 000 people employed directly and indirectly by the industry and peripheral services in the province, and foster broader stakeholder interest and incentive for investment through the modernisation of facilities in venues and training centres, while also upgrading prize money, which has lagged over the past 30 years.
The operational aspect of the introduction of a new-look racing programme, coupled with incentives to promote racehorse ownership and boost field sizes, an important component of the key driver of improved betting turnovers, is already well advanced.
Whilst ownership transfers on 1 May, the investment began months ago.
A huge leap of faith was required.
Even before this final approval by the KZNERA, Hollywoodbets had confidently commenced its considerable investment.
To date there has been extensive capital investment in facilities, which includes wide-scale renovation of buildings and equipment upgrades, as well as a revamp of the Hollywoodbets Greyville Polytrack.
Day-night racing has proved immensely popular in KwaZulu-Natal and a multi-million-rand upgrade of the lighting facilities at the home of the historic Hollywoodbets Durban July, brings the Durban City racetrack on a par with leading night-racing venues internationally.
To have delayed these essential projects until formal approval had been given would have resulted in none of the work commencing until after the Champions Season.
The Summerveld Training Centre is also set for major improvements.
Plans are well advanced for an extensive capital injection that will result in material upgrade of stabling, grooms accommodation, roofing, roads and other infrastructure.
Hollywood CEO, Suren Rampersadh, welcomed the announcement and confirmed that it was now all systems go for the company's game changing plans to revitalise a sport that enjoys a unique place in the hearts and minds of passionate locals and the whole Purple Team.
'We wish to reaffirm that we are fully committed to securing the future of the horse racing industry in KwaZulu-Natal and are privileged to be in a custodial position to carry the baton into what we firmly believe will be a bright and prosperous future for the sport and all stakeholders in the region and beyond.
'The investment that commenced some time ago will continue, with plans to change the face and broad appeal of the business that operates in one of the most exciting sports internationally, with a global reach of over 584 million households,' added Rampersadh.
'This has been a long journey, and we are super-proud that our team has got it over the line. I am sure that our pride is more than matched by the relief and renewed enthusiasm of all stakeholders'.
The encouraging news comes in excellent time for the much-anticipated launch of the 2025 Champions Season at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
Three months of action-packed top-level horseracing will be headlined by the 129th renewal of the historic Hollywoodbets Durban July, which will be run over 2 200m on Saturday, 5 July 2025.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
17 minutes ago
- The South African
PSL finally announces new dates for the playoffs
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has officially announced new dates for the relegation/promotion playoffs. The three-team mini-tournament was initially scheduled to get underway on 27 May but the league had to postpone it. And this was due to unresolved issues in the Motsepe Foundation Championship involving Durban City, JDR Stars and Cape Town Spurs. Both JDR Stars and Cape Town Spurs accused champions Durban City of fielding Saziso Magawana, claiming he was not properly registered. However, their cases were dismissed last, and thus, paving way for Durban City to be crowned champions. Now, the ruling also meant both Orbit College and Casric Stars were to play in the playoffs alongside Cape Town City. Of course, Cape Town City are disappointed with the PSL that the game between SuperSport United and Golden Arrows had to be replayed after the season had 'officially' concluded. Nonetheless, they have since accepted their fate and are gearing up for the playoffs to try and retain their Betway Premiership status. PSL confirms relegation/promotion playoffs dates. Image: @officialpsl/X Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
21 minutes ago
- IOL News
SA Rugby to unlock new revenues as full shareholders in URC from next season
South Africa will see a bigger revenue picture when they become full partners in the United Rugby Championship (URC) from the end of June this year. While the URC has treated the South African Rugby Union (SA Rugby) and the four franchises the way full members have been treated, CEO Martin Anayi confirmed this week they will be granted equity in the URC and European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) competitions. SA Rugby's status as a full shareholder promises better financial gains for them, with the mother body no longer required to pay annual participation fees to the URC. The broadcasting and sponsor revenue will now be redirected directly through the URC structure from which SA is set to benefit. 'We effectively treat the South African Rugby Union and the four franchises the same way we do all our members already,' Anayi said this week. 'They are on the same boards and committees. They have the same decision-making. The key thing is they become a full shareholder from the end of June and that is a process that is on-going. From the impact point of view, it is substantial, most importantly from a competitive point of view. We've had three finals in South Africa. 'Yes, we've had two away wins, but those teams (from South Africa) are super competitive, and we've seen over 34 000 tickets sold for the Bulls vs Sharks game (the semi-final at Loftus) already. We had a huge number of tickets sold (last week) for the Sharks game (vs Munster) in the quarter-final. There is a huge engagement which drives everything else. 'It is a very positive relationship with all of the stakeholders in South African rugby, and they want to be part of the league. They are putting the league first. That is a massive boost for the URC. It is fantastic, but ultimately it starts with the most important thing; competitively, those teams are right up there, and they are pushing standards.' Anayi added that the addition of the South African teams made the league more competitive than before. He said it's an important change in June, because South Africa becomes a full shareholder with it. Meaning, they will have equity in the league. He continued that there is no indication that the local sides failed to live up to expectations in the tournament. 'That is a very hard argument to make seeing that SA had three finals in three years. I haven't had that, and it is not something that's been discussed around our table.'
The South African
36 minutes ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs pre-season European tour dates CONFIRMED
Kaizer Chiefs are packing their clogs and heading to the Netherlands to pick some tulips. Here are all the details. As you'll know by now, Chiefs are heading to the land of Dennis Bergkamp, Virgil van Dijk and Wesley Sneijder for their European pre-season tour adventure. The Glamour Boys jet out on 03 July and conclude the tour on 17 July. It should be a fun fortnight! According to journalist Siya Gijana , Chiefs are taking a look at SuperSport United's Aphiwe Baliti. The 23-year-old played 15 league matches for Matsatsantsa last term and can also operate at right-back. ICYMI: Chiefs release three players, including two academy stars After just five months with Qatar SC in Doha, 31-year-old former Brighton, Anderlecht and Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Percy Tau is clubless. Tau has four assists from nine appearances in this season's Qatar Stars League. OFFICIAL: Percy Tau released by Qatar SC The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in all its glory. Image: Ernest Makhaya Will you be following the tour on social media? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
