Optimizing the ownership experience remains one Cape Racing’s top priorities.
The extraordinary revamp of the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth facilities is a big part of that upgrade, as is increasing the stakes on offer.
To illustrate – previously, juvenile events were a neglected part of the program leading to a downward spiral of reduced stakes, ever smaller field sizes and dwindling betting interest.
A radical programming overhaul was required, together with a significant boost to the status/prize money offered for precocious, talented babies.
Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate Handsome Prince wins at the second time of asking on 27 December 2023 (Pic- Cape Racing)
The totally upgraded Juvenile Incentive program represents a pivotal shift for owners who can now conceivably obtain a fabulous, quick return on their astute investments through the reinvigorated and highly incentivised 2yo programme in the Western Cape.
Justin Vermaak, Racing Ops and Bloodstock Executive recently announced that bonus stakes will be available for the first 40 juvenile winners.
“We are returning R4-million in cash bonuses to our valued clients over 40 races. We’d like the connections of all juvenile winners to get paid out.”
Not only are owners benefitting, but breeders are also scoring under the new arrangement.
Vermaak explains, “CRS is committed to making our various sales auctions as compelling as possible to breeders. The bonuses will be implemented alongside a reduction of the breeder’s commission from 8% down to the current 5%, as well as a 25% share of the bonuses paid – R75,000 will be paid to the winning owner and R25,000 to the winning vendor.”
In an exciting development, graduates of the 2023 Cape Premier Sale qualify for the inaugural Cape Racing Sales Slipper on WSB Cape Town Met Day, worth R1.25 million.
“The ‘Slipper’ will be our Sales Race. The Premier Sale will be a go-to for breeders with high quality forward types and we will be positioning it as such,” concludes Vermaak.
The Cape Racing Sales Slipper is restricted to graduates of the CRS Premier Yearling Sale, powered by Tattersalls, and will be run over 1200m down the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth straight.
It is sure to create an additional fizz to the summer season and give fortunate owners an opportunity at an excellent return on investment within a year of purchase. The “Slipper” will be run on World Sports Betting Cape Town Met Day.
In 2025 the race will be run for R1.5 million and the horses will also qualify for those 2yo R100k bonus Add- Ons, referred to earlier by Vermaak, as Cape Racing Sales Graduate.
To add further lustre to the big meeting on 27 January, the second running of the R7.5 million “Gold Rush” for 3-year-olds is the other showpiece event for Cape Racing Sales graduates on the day.
- Media release by Cape Racing on Wednesday 3 January 2024.
