Horse Racing in South Africa

Ever since the first horse race in 1797, horse racing has become a hugely popular sport in South Africa. There are three major Group 1 races that stand out above the rest, one in each of the three biggest cities in the country. Turfontein in Johannesburg hosts The Summer Cup, while Cape Town’s star attraction is The J & B Met. Durban’s primary event is The Vodacom July, which was first run in 1897 at its present home, Greyville.

Group 1 Records – South Africa

  • Number of Group 1’s – 28
  • Total prize money – $3.04 million
  • Average prize money per Grade 1 race – $121,750
  • Richest Race – Vodacom Durban July – $361,000
  • Most successful horse – Horse Chestnut (5 G1’s)
  • Most successful jockey – Douglas Whyte
  • Most successful trainer – Mike De Kock

List of Group 1 Horse Races in South Africa

  • Vodacom Durban July – $361,250 2200m, Greyville, July, Open
  • Investec Cape Derby – $182,500 2000m, Kenilworth, January, Open
  • J & B Met – $182,500 2000m, Kenilworth, January, 3yo
  • Klawervlei Majorca – S. $182,500 1600m, Kenilworth, January, Open
  • Daily News 2000 – $146,000 2000m, Greyville, June, 3yo
  • H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut -S. $146,000 1600m, Turffontein, April, Open
  • S A Classic – $146,000 1800m, Turffontein, April, Open
  • S A Derby – $146,000 2450m, Turffontein, April, 3yo
  • S A Nursery – $146,000 1100m, Turffontein, April, Open
  • Wilgerbosdrift S A Fillies Classic – $146,000 1800m, Turffontein, April, Open
  • Wilgerbosdrift S A Oaks – $146,000 2450m, Turffontein, April, 2yo
  • Woolavington 2000 – $146,000 2000m, Greyville, May, 3yo
  • World Sports Betting Computaform Sprint – $146,000 1000m, Turffontein, April, 3yo
  • Sansui Summer Cup – $146,000 2000m, Turffontein, November, Open
  • Premier’s Champions Challenge – $91,250 2000m, Turffontein, April, 2yo
  • Gold Cup – $91,250 3200m, Greyville, August, Open
  • Allan Robertson Championship – $73,000 1200m, Scottsville, June, 3yonuary, Open
  • City Of Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint – $73,000 1200m, Scottsville, June, Open
  • L Jaffee Empress Club S –. $73,000 1600m, Turffontein, April, Open
  • L’ormarins Queen’s Plate – $73,000 1600m, Kenilworth, January, Open
  • Maine Chance Farms Paddock S – $73,000 1800m, Kenilworth, January, Open
  • Rising Sun Gold Challenge – $73,000 1600m, Greyville, June, Open
  • Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion – $73,000 1200m, Scottsville, June, Open
  • Tsogo Sun Sprint – $73,000 1200m, Scottsville, June, 3yo
  • Grand Parade Cape Guineas – $73,000 1600m, Kenilworth, December, 3yo+
  • Cape Fillies Guineas – $73,000 1600m, Kenilworth, January, 3yo
  • Mercury Sprint – $54,750 1200m, Greyville, July, 2yo