[imagesource: Cape Racing]

Earlier this year, the Cape Racing team celebrated the completion of the first phase of a year-long rejuvenation project at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, which saw the transformation of the historic racecourse facility into a world-class racing, and the beginnings of re-imagining it as a multi-purpose lifestyle venue for the broader community.

This rejuvenation project is driven by the vision of Cape Racing’s Chairman, Greg Bortz, and Hollywoodbets owner and founder, Owen Heffer, who have collectively invested millions of rands into the industry and property over the last 18 months, and endeavour to reinvent the racecourse and an industry in “dire straits”.

The recent brand and property overhaul is more than just a facelift – it represents a commitment to preserving the rich history of the Kenilworth Racecourse while embracing a modern era.

Today, there is a palpable feeling of rejuvenation in the refurbished halls of the historic Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse.

The hustle and bustle allude to a return of splendour to the old spaces to appeal to the wider community with expanded offerings in the pipeline.

Cape Racing’s Chief Operating Officer, Donovan Everitt, explains: “We want to run this as a multipurpose property in the heart of the Southern Suburbs and as a site open for public recreation in a park format, with the guided parameters of the City. We also want the surrounding community to be exposed to horse racing and bring racing back to the forefront in an open-planned environment that hones in on the core fundamentals of the industry”.

Operated remotely in previous years, the venue was quite detached from local business perspectives and the community. Cape Racing hopes to change this.

“For too long, people on the outside were not included in these various event perspectives, and we aim to transform this completely.”

In addition to the regular weekly race meets, themed racing events like the iconic World Sports Betting Cape Town MET and L’Ormarins King’s Plate are hosted at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth every year, boosting the local economy with an estimated half-a-billion rand.

 

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“Looking at the successes of international ventures, it is clear that diversifying their offering greatly contributes to their sustainability and success,” notes Everitt.

“Many properties similar to ours offer a “sportainment” solution that incorporate popular community sports like Fives Futbol and Padel as part of their ecosystem.”

“This expansion is also a powerful incubation for job creation in both the racing and lifestyle industries. In horseracing alone, an average of 20 people are employed for every one horse on the course.”

Now that the venue upgrades have been completed, the Cape Racing team are looking at incorporating similar sports and fitness facilities, as well as a variety of lifestyle and conferencing spaces that will make it a 24/7 operation.

These improvements will also extend to the Kenilworth Conservation Area which is situated on the property and boasts an ecosystem rated higher than that of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

The team want to introduce walking, running and biking trails within this area while preserving its rich heritage and protecting our unique eco-assets.

“This has been successfully achieved in other ecologically sensitive areas in the greater Cape Town, and we are working closely with the City and our various eco-partners to ensure that our expansion remains sustainably and ecologically sound,” adds Everitt.

The next phase of this multi-million Rand project is now underway, and its completion (scheduled for the end of 2025) will not only mark the reinvention of the local racing industry but will become the new blueprint for the ultimate equestrian and entertainment experience in South Africa.

 

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If you’ve never experienced the excitement of a day at the races at Kenilworth, why not visit their website to see the racing calendar? Entry is free.

For more information contact you can check out the Cape Summer Festival of Racing, or contact them at members@capeturfclub.co.za