As reported previously by the Sporting Post, Cape Racing Chairman, Gregory Bortz, was among the speakers at the 40th Asian Racing Conference (ARC).
The Conference, held in Sapporo, Japan, between 27 August and 1 September, served as a pivotal platform for industry leaders to discuss the future of horseracing and explore innovative strategies for growth.
Bortz, together with National Horseracing Authority CEO, Vee Moodley, and SA Equine Health Protocols MD, Adrian Todd, were part of a panel discussion entitled Developments: Big Changes Across The ARF Footprint, which placed the spotlight on key racing, betting and breeding developments in ARF member countries, as well as the key advancements and strategic initiatives that would promote and grow the industry.
The ARF is a regional federation comprising 28 national racing authorities and racing-related organisations from across Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East.
In his keynote address, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Asian Racing Federation Chair, urged the industry to collaborate globally to address its most pressing challenges, warning that fragmentation threatens racing’s growth. He also emphasized the need for a joint approach to overcome these obstacles and ensure racing’s relevance in the face of generational change.
“The 40th ARC in Sapporo marks a pivotal moment for the international racing community. It’s not only a celebration of our shared achievements but also an opportunity to chart the course for future growth and sustainability,” Engelbrecht-Bresges emphasised.
From left: Donovan Everitt (Cape Racing Chief Operations Officer), Ray Sharman (Premier Gateway International Commercial Executive), Gregory Bortz (Cape Racing Chairman), Damon Waddington (Premier Gateway International Chief Operations Officer), Dean Sawarjith (Gold Circle Commercial and International Executive)
The Conference provided Cape Racing with invaluable insights and the opportunity to engage with international industry experts, forge new relationships, gain valuable knowledge from best practices in innovation and technology, and strengthen South African horseracing’s international standing.
Another key takeaway from the conference was the emphasis on the power of liquidity in totalisator pools.
World Pools, a collaborative initiative driven by the Hong Kong Jockey Club that pools betting resources from various racing jurisdictions, was identified as a crucial catalyst for achieving this goal. Cape Racing is honoured to participate in World Pools on its showcase race days and is committed to expanding this partnership in the years to come.
In alignment with Engelbrecht-Bresges’s vision, Cape Racing has been making great strides on and off the course to work towards changing the social perception of the sport among younger audiences.
“Sustainability is a major focus here in South Africa, and especially at Cape Racing,” noted Bortz, who took Cape Racing’s reins when it was at its lowest point. “Not only was the company broke; the culture was completely broken. A key component of our revival is using the assets that exist on our racecourses to generate non-racing related revenues that can be used to sustain racing…”
It is this revival strategy that has seen Cape Racing embark on a massive upgrade and revitalisation project that is about to enter its next phase. Once complete, the property will write a new blueprint for a sustainable racing and entertainment business model that attracts horseracing, sport, and entertainment lifestyle enthusiasts alike.
And as the international horseracing community navigates a rapidly evolving landscape, Cape Racing remains committed to drive innovation and foster collaboration, while leading the way to continued growth and success.
- Media release by Cape Racing on Monday 2 September 2024
