Stakes Boosted Champions Season Is Going To Be A Cracker
We’re just halfway through the 2022/23 racing season and with a host of new generation champions putting their hands up, Gold Circle looks forward to welcoming the very best from across South Africa to KwaZulu-Natal.
In a welcome announcement on Thursday, Gold Circle CEO Michel Nairac revealed that in addition to the planned R7.4 million stake increase, the R110 million increase in stakes will increase.
“The Board and Management of Gold Circle along with all stakeholders would like to thank Hollywoodbets for once again stepping forward to ensure we can host this well established platform to offer a wide range of the best horses from around the country and dressing these owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms at all levels will benefit,” said Nairac.
Gold Circle Chair Sadha Naidoo echoed these sentiments: “We are committed to delivering a great Champions season – we owe it to everyone involved, but this would not have been possible without the continued, willing and enthusiastic support of Hollywoodbets. We are very grateful for this great partnership.”
Hollywoodbet’s Durban July Day is the highlight of the SA Champions Season (Image – Candies Lenferna)
The distribution of the R17.4 million raises the minimum stakes for all races in the province during the period to R100,000 and allows for adjustment of stake levels and groomer benefits through August 31, 2023. Importantly, this also ensures that stakeholders are rewarded for quality.
News of the stakes increase was met with positive reception, with Gr1 winner Dean Kannemeyer’s coach, who has been a player in the Champions season for over four decades, welcoming the injection and praising Hollywoodbets for their support.
“It’s really going up. The team is doing an excellent job down at the Cape and the very attractive winter program has been revised from serious proportions. I will definitely support the KZN season. I may be leaving the Cape a little later than usual, but let’s face it, Champions Season is Champions Season! It’s a great racing time, all the top horses are there and the climate is just wonderful,” adds Kannemeyer.
Devin Heffer, Brand & Communications Manager, commented on behalf of Hollywoodbets: “The Champions Season has long been recognized as the jewel in the South African racing calendar. We are delighted to help ensure this status is maintained and reiterate our commitment and support for racing. It’s going to be a blast!”
Team Kannemeyer will be back for the Champions Season (Image – Candies Lenferna)
With the sun setting at the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Summer Festival featuring races in the South featuring the SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby on February 25th and Highveld’s The Championships already underway, plans are afoot to kick off the 2023 SA Champions Season at the Theater Of Champions am May 6 running the Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes and World Sports Betting Guineas and Fillies Guineas.
One of the Southern Hemisphere’s major horseracing festivals, the season features 37 competitions, including 13 at elite level, in a diverse three-month program that captures the imagination of racing audiences like no other.
A proud and longstanding tradition, Gold Circle’s SA Champions Season reaches a heady climax with Africa’s biggest horseracing event, the R5 Million Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, taking place on July 1st at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
Additional announcements, including the Champions Season 2023 feature program, will follow in due course.
- Gold Circle media release on Thursday, February 16, 2023