4Racing – ‘A Royal Raceday To Remember’
It was a royal day of racing that will be remembered by race queen Mary Slack as Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein bred Desert Miracle won the HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes Class 1 Feature race at Turffontein on Saturday.
Trainer Mike de Kock and jockey Craig Zackey made a strong team as Desert Miracle continued their success at the Grade 1 Majorca Stakes in Cape Town with glory today at the Big T at Royal Raceday sponsored by HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco.
Mike de Kock, Mary Slack and Craig Zackey celebrate the magnificent trophy (Image – 4Racing)
The fourth leg of the World Sports Betting Championships season, Royal Raceday left a lasting impression on all those attending the event, which combined sport, fashion and charity to offer race-goers in Turffontein a unique and exciting experience.
This special day in the Highveld racing calendar was organized by the Racehorse Owners’ Association and Business Alliance Monaco Sport of Kings in partnership with 4Racing.
As is tradition at Royal Raceday, this year the focus was on the spirit of charity among fashion and racing enthusiasts. Three charities dedicated to helping those in need and promoting social welfare in the communities in and around Turffontein have been selected as beneficiaries of the Royal Raceday.
A happy crowd enjoys the race (Image – 4Racing)
The Monaco Sport of Kings businessmen group and Princess Charlene’s father Mike Wittstock presented this year’s main beneficiary, The Earth Centre, with a check for R100,000 to encourage them to continue their great work, providing equine therapy for the disabled, vulnerable and the disadvantaged.
The Hamlet School for mentally challenged children and the United Cerebral Palsy Association of South Africa also received R50,000 each to support their efforts.
The ladies didn’t disappoint in bringing the glitz and glam theme of Great Gatsby Roaring 20 to life, and some have been handsomely rewarded for doing so.
The best-dressed racegoer won a whopping R7,000, runner-up R5,000 and runner-up R3,000 as they shared the R15,000 prize pool for their fashion endeavors.
“This has been one of the best Royal Racedays so far. From fashion to spectacular racing, all crowned by the spirit of charity. We have raised more charitable donations this year than expected and we would like to thank Mr Wittstock and the Monaco Sport of Kings group of business people for over 10 years of helping us make this special race day a success.” said Natalie Turner, CEO of the Racehorse Owners Association.
The charity recipients with their checks (Image – 4Racing)
On the race front, Mrs Slack warmed up for the big one as Wilgerbosdrift’s Red Maple won the Spook Express Stakes for Listed World Sports Betting.
The popular Monaco Sport of Kings Charity Maiden Sprint was won by Silver Tudor for trainer Sean Tarry, with Richard Fourie victorious on a fruitful day for him on the Highveld.
Darrell Hall of the Monaco Sport of Kings business group hailed the success of a fantastic day of racing royals.
“We don’t have a lot of horse racing in Monaco but to come here as a South African and support horse racing, charities and the underprivileged is fantastic. I loved the enthusiasm and camaraderie, the crowd, the horses, jockeys and meeting the most amazing people. We look forward to continuing our support of the Monaco Sport of Kings group,” said group representative Darrell Hall, who operates a yacht brokerage business in Monaco.
Best Dressed Winner – Irene Ndlovu (Image – 4Racing)
Racing enthusiasts across the country were able to watch the action live on Racing 240, DSTV Channel 240 and SABC Sport.
Next up is the Championship Finals in Turffontein on Saturday 29th April, featuring seven major Graded Races to cap off a rousing season of Sports Betting World Championships.
Entry to Turffontein Racecourse is free for Champions Day.
- Media release from 4Racing on Saturday, April 15, 2023.