Just weeks ahead of the start of the 2024 SA Champions Season, which is set to offer all-time record stakes, Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets have announced that their groundbreaking Grooms Initiative incentive has been doubled to R2000 a winner for the duration of the showcase season and will continue into the first month of the new racing term.
John Mario (left) and Sibusiso Paca from Crawford Racing with 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July Champion Winchester Mansion, ridden by Kabelo Matsunyane (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The joint initiative, which has seen other regions follow suit countrywide, has paid out over R4,5 million to one of horseracing’s previously unheralded, but most important sectors, since it was launched in September 2019.
Per close of racing at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Monday, Grooms have been rewarded in 3890 races for their contribution to the horseracing ecosystem in KZN.
Hollywoodbets Brand and Communications Manager Devin Heffer said that the Grooms initiative had proved a real winner for a sector that played an important front-line role in delivering a South African racing show that we can all be proud of.
“We look forward to continuing the momentum into this upcoming Champions Season. The regular R1000 incentive will be doubled to R2000 from 10th April to 31st August 2024. There is also a milestone of a 4000th Grooms Initiative winner on the horizon, and we will award the 4000th winner a R4000 cash incentive as a gesture of marking a milestone on our broader road to improving the lot of all stakeholders,” added Heffer.
Speaking on behalf of Gold Circle, Events and Marketing Executive Stephen Marshall endorsed the valuable role played by Grooms and said that the increased incentive would be welcomed by all.
“Given the hot off the press stakes increase announcement, which is effective from Sunday 14 April, and with a proud history dating back decades, KZN is the champion destination of choice as we host the very best from all four corners of South Africa. The Grooms play a major part in the success of all racing yards, and it is pleasing to note that our local Grooms and their visiting colleagues will deservedly benefit for their contribution to a sport that provides a livelihood, and so much enjoyment, to a wide spectrum of our population,” concluded Marshall.
- Media release by Gold Circle on Wednesday, 10 April 2024.
