The Gr1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes will be run at Turffontein today and once again the Princess has come on board to boost the race.
Owing to the deteriorating economic situation, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the stakes of all races have been cut. Last year, all Gr1 races on the Highveld carried a stake of at least R1 million but that has been reduced to R425 000 and fillies’ events to R325 000.
That is the case with this year’s HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes for fillies and mares over 1600m but the Princess has stepped in to ensure the race will carry the same stake as all current Gr1 races.
“Because of the situation the Princess has decided to put up the R100,000 stake difference,” explained her father, Mike Wittstock.
“An acknowledgement of her gesture will be made at the post-race presentation.”
Princess Charlene was invited to the Charity Mile in 2012 and since then she has been a strong supporter of South African racing and local charities.
Showing her backing for the underdog, she also initiated the Maiden Million, a R1-million race for horses who have not yet won a race. It always receives a massive entry and the nomination fees all go to charity. It is sponsored by the Prince And Monaco Merchants.
The first organisation to benefit from Princess Charlene’s charity work was the Gugulesizwe School in Daveyton from where she launched her foundation in 2012.
Others include Lesabe School in Wadeville, the Horse Care unit and five schools in Turffontein.
- Media release by Phumelela Gaming & Leisure on Friday 27 June 2020
