Horseracing operator 4Racing, hosted an exciting Topbet Spring Challenge this weekend which was a heady mix of racing high drama, quality horseracing and fantastic entertainment and family fun at the Turffontein Racecourse.
All smiles at the Topbet Spring Challenge at Turffontein this weekend (Pic – 4Racing)
A wonderful crowd came out in good numbers on Saturday for an event that kickstarted the Gauteng horseracing season, and they were royally entertained on a beautiful day out in the sun filled with a variety of activities for all.
Racegoers and attendees, who included the likes of Kaizer Chiefs Marketing Director and horserace owner, Jessica Motaung, Soweto Equestrian Centre founder Enos Mafokate and SuperSport anchor Neil Andrews, enjoyed entertainment from DJs and musicians, while exploring various food, fashion and horse themed stalls on-course.
“Our goal is to build the world’s most loved horse racing experience and to revive horseracing as a fantastic leisure, high performance and lifestyle sport for all. Our partnership with Topbet this weekend enabled us to create a wonderful, family-focused experience for Johannesburg’s horseracing and event fans.
A beaming Muzi Yeni after his thrilling Topbet Spring Challenge win (Pic – 4Racing)
It was a fantastic launch of Johannesburg’s horseracing season as we build up to our popular Summer Cup at Turffontein on November 26 and as we continue to showcase new initiatives to grow the sport’s popularity and engagement.” said Fundi Sithebe, Chief Executive Officer of 4Racing.
The impressive favourite for the main race, William Robertson, won the Topbet Spring Challenge – but not without plenty of drama and tension ahead of the big race.
Champion jockey S’manga Khumalo stunned the crowd when he opted against racing William Robertson after leading him to the start, indicating he was not comfortable with the condition of the horse and withdrawing from the race.
A frantic last-minute replacement jockey was sought, and there could be no better candidate than the experienced and wily veteran Muzi Yeni, who was waiting in the wings and was rushed to the start as the drama unfolded.
Yeni duly produced a thrilling ride to lead William Robertson to a famous nerve-wracking victory, holding off a determined charge from jockey Diego de Gouveia on the horse After The Rain.
Muzi Yeni on his way to surging to a win in the Topbet Spring Challenge at Turffontein on William Robertson (Pic – 4Racing)
The exciting nine-race programme entertained the crowds and saw Juan Paul van der Merwe riding Humdinger to victory in the Topbet Fillies and Mare Challenge and Yeni and William Robertson stealing the thunder in the main R400 000 Topbet Spring Challenge.
The next major race day at Turffontein is the Allied Steelrode On A Mission Charity Mile on 29 October, with the big Summer Cup race day set for Turffontein on Saturday 26 November.
- Press release by 4Racing on 2 October 2022
