Cape Racing’s success in substantially bolstering the once flagging horse population levels in the Western Cape has been underscored in no small measure by the introduction of the Country Championships just over a year ago.
Cape Racing management identified in late 2023 that a diverse horse population is key to sustained future growth, and coupled with programme innovation, boosted stakes, and the RaceCape Incentive, field sizes in the province have seen substantial growth.
In essence, the aim of the Country Championships is to highlight genuine race and earnings opportunities and to illustrate that lower-rated horses in the Cape have the ability to earn considerably in the province, making the ownership experience economically attractive while allowing the owners to continue experiencing the thrills of racing in the Cape.
The Country Championships Summer finals at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 8 February promises competitive racing in what will be well patronized fields in the heart of the Summer Festival Of Champions.
Current Country Championships log-topper Lovers Lane (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The countdown to the Summer Country Championship Finals has thus begun and the programme hosts five finals of R200 000 each over 1000m, 1200m, 1400m, 1600m and 1800m.
Key to shattering the perception that weaker horses should be racing elsewhere in the country, the Country Championships caters for the lower merit-rated horses in the province, which race predominantly in Class 4 and Class 5 races.
Class 4 races are for horses with merit ratings of 62 – 78, while Class 5 races are for horses with merit ratings of 66 and below.
The Country Championship log, showing points gained per 4 January 2025, is topped by the Peter Wrench trained Lovers Lane, a 5yo son of Crusade who is raced by the Social Syndicate.
Prize money is shown below and is paid from R100 000 for first place, to R25 000 for 20th.
Owners and trainers are requested to note that entries for the 8 February raceday close at 11h00 on Friday 31 January, while declarations are due by 11h00 on Monday 3 February.
