One of South African horseracing’s most extraordinary evolutionary journeys continues with the news this week of the official launch of the Cape Turf Club (CTC) on the back of exciting landscape-defining developments at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
Embracing horseracing interests and the local community, while working closely with the City of Cape Town, Cape Racing is on its way to establishing a unique, groundbreaking lifestyle destination at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth that will be a first on the African continent.
Talking to the Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz, who was also recently appointed CEO of JSE-listed Grand Parade Investments, a company he now controls, one gets the sense that the launch of the Cape Turf Club is a quantum leap to providing a structure and benefits for the loyal base of patrons who will be accredited to get the most out of the exciting journey.
The Cape Turf Club provides everybody, from the dyed-in-the-wool established racing stakeholder to members of the local community, the opportunity to become a role-player in the planned new-look Southern Suburbs lifestyle destination centre with horseracing at its heart, and the passion and spirit of the sport of kings coursing through its veins.
“The Cape Turf Club is one of the most important aspects of our foundation plans. We sent out the official notice of the CTC membership options recently and have had excellent feedback and buy-in. It makes sense as it’s a value proposition where the benefits are many, and the cost is small. Plans are well advanced for the development of a 365-day-a-year, 24/7 lifestyle and entertainment complex, where the sport and stakeholders, as well as the local community, benefit. The reciprocal spin-offs are there as we raise racing’s profile, create the lifeblood of additional income streams, in tandem with the injection of a community vibrancy and energy into a safe and secure environment,” enthuses Bortz.
As regards the specifics of what Cape Turf Club members and the public at large can expect, the energetic businessman is at pains to stress that they and their professional teams are working very closely with the City in regards to what is planned to transition Hollywoodbets Kenilworth into a landmark destination, and that respect for due process and red-tape dictate that he is not ready yet for the ‘big reveal’.
“The focus will be on a secure, convenient lifestyle centre of excellence, structured around horseracing, providing a 365-day culinary, sport and entertainment experience, together with conferencing and event facilities, unique to the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. CTC members will enjoy privileges and access beyond racing events and can avail themselves on a preferential basis to all we have on offer,” he added.
“We cannot yet elaborate in any detail about our plans – as much as we are chomping at the bit to do so! What I can say is that construction is well underway. The property is looking amazing, and yet we are perhaps only 5% done! There is a long way to go, and permitting and approvals can take considerable time.
This is a complex development with substantial challenges. One of the biggest of these challenges is our parking. We expect our property to be busy every day of the year once our plans have been completed. We are working with the City to implement the appropriate traffic management plan. Our primary access point will become our Wetton Road gate. A new secure parking facility will be made available to all our patrons and customers on the Wetton Road side of the property. There will still be some parking available on the Rosmead side, but this is very limited and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Furthermore, on race days, our suite holders already have their own dedicated unreserved suite-holder parking In the Rosmead parking lot, exacerbating the Rosmead parking challenges come race days. “
Bortz explained further that security enhancements and power generation have been the primary focus so far. “We have trenched and laid power and cable around our entire property, not a small task! We now have cameras, lights and beams protecting our entire property. We are monitored 24/7/365 offsite and have round-the clock-security constantly patrolling onsite, both on-foot and via Quad bikes. Top-of-the-line generators have been added, and a new solar farm is in the works. Our property is safe, secure, and able to operate around the clock, a prerequisite for any entertainment venue. “
He explains that there are three tiers of CTC membership:
Social Membership: FREE access for all Social members who wish to come onto the property at any time, whether for racing or various other amenities. The only requirement will be for the Social members to complete the sign-up process. This will ensure that these members receive the necessary accreditation for course and facility access and provides for a more secure environment whereby every person on the property is registered.
Club Membership: – Exclusively available for horse owners registered as colour-holders with the NHA.
Club Membership includes a personalised badge displaying the owner’s colours, a guest badge and access to dedicated unreserved parking for Club Members via Wetton Road at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and allocated parking at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. It also included access to the Parade Ring when the member has a runner declared in a specific race, as well as access to the 1881 Lounge, which is exclusive to CTC Club and Centurion members and guests. The cost of this level of membership is R2,500 plus VAT per annum.
Centurion Membership: Exclusively available by application only to those qualifying owners who are either NHA or Gold Circle Life Members or who have enjoyed over 100 career winners. Benefits include a personalised Centurion badge displaying the owner’s colours, a guest badge, access to dedicated unreserved parking for Centurion Members at the Rosmead Avenue entrance to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and on-course parking at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. The Centurion package also includes permanent access to the Parade Ring at all race meetings, including all Grade 1 races and priority table bookings in the Cape Turf Club’s 1881 Lounge. The cost of this membership is R10 000 plus VAT per annum. In light of the limited availability of Rosmead parking spaces, this Centurion membership will, in turn, be limited in number and allocated on a first come-first served basis.
Bortz went on to say that given the vastly improved facilities available, the costs were very realistic and that all of the owner, regular racing fan, and casual visitor experience would be enhanced.
“There is a price point for everyone. For example, an infrequent visitor, or a visitor not interested in some of the benefits of the other tiers, is welcome to choose the Social Membership, enabling access to most of what our property has to offer for no cost at all. Of course, there are two other offerings, the Club Membership priced at R2,500 and the Centurion Membership at R10,000, which are also available and may be suitable or desirable to some of our other patrons. The bottom line is – everyone is welcome and everyone is free to choose whatever tier works best for them. We look forward to a buzzing, diverse, inclusive, active property all year around.”
Greg Bortz – excited and making things happen (Pic – Troy Finch)
Bortz says there are more exciting things in the pipeline for the CTC, including Syndicate Membership, Corporate Membership, Punter’s Club Membership, and Apprentice Membership (children under the age of 13 years).
“We also welcome all owner members of Gold Circle and 4Racing on our course. The Gold Circle membership programme is longstanding, and we believe 4Racing is considering its own membership programme. We will make sure that all their members are given appropriate temporary CTC membership when on our property and are made to feel most welcome.”
“We have had questions regarding the reciprocity of the Racehorse Owners Association. We do not have any affiliation or association with the ROA. While their badges or membership have no standing on our racecourse, anyone wishing to attend a race day of ours can very quickly sign up on the day for free Social Membership and receive free access. Furthermore, we welcome all owners in the parade ring, and an NHA registered colour holder coming to watch his or her horse run will be given a temporary access lanyard for the parade ring. Our policy is one of inclusiveness, not divisiveness – we want anyone passionate enough to have bought into a horse to know they are always welcome on our course and in our parade ring!”
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Robyn Collyer: [email protected] or Tel: +2778 342-5624
