In what will be welcome news of potential steps towards further progress and unity in South African horseracing, dynamic Kenilworth Racing Chairman Greg Bortz is one of four nominees announced as candidates for two seats as a Director on the Gold Circle Racing Club board, ahead of their Annual General Meeting on 6 December.
Bortz, along with forensic specialist Donovan Pillay, well-known Chartered Accountant and equine administrator Gary Grant, and financial services industry CEO Keegan Thambiran, are the quartet up for election via an independent electronic system which opened on Friday 4 November and closes on Thursday 1 December at 12h00.
Keegan Thambiran
While all four nominees appear to be in a position to add value, it is the Durban-born Bortz, surely a front-runner for all the right reasons as SA horseracing’s newsmaker of the year, whose nomination catches the eye.
A former investment banker turned entrepreneur, the charismatic Chartered Accountant has been hailed as something of a renaissance man, and has breathed new energy and life into Cape horseracing since the announcement in early July that his private equity company GMB Investments, and leading SA sportsbook operator Hollywoodbets, had joined forces in a R330 million rand deal which effectively saved Kenilworth Racing from financial collapse.
Greg Bortz
In a matter of months, a wave of positivity has engulfed the region, with new initiatives introduced for all stakeholders.
In October Bortz was appointed Chairman of Kenilworth Racing and just last week his GMB Liquidity Corporation made the front page of leading publication Business Day when it was announced that they had acquired a 27, 8% stake in the empowerment investment counter, Grand Parade Investments, which holds mainly gaming assets.
