On the eve of the launch of the 2025 Champions Season this coming Saturday, South African horseracing awoke to a brand new chapter in its history on the Workers’ Day public holiday today with the good news that the acquisition of Gold Circle by the Hollywood Sportsbook Holdings group (Hollywood/Hollywoodbets) has received the final stamp of approval of the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority (KZNERA).
In a transaction that dates back to the commencement of negotiations in 2023, and culminating in a Special General Meeting of Members in September of that year, KZN racing is set to benefit from a R500 million (and rapidly escalating) rescue injection by Hollywood in a seriously ambitious and committed plan to resurrect the failing industry in the richly culturally diverse province that has enjoyed a passionate following of the sport for well over a century.
It is a reality that, given the combination of the prevailing economic climate and dramatic changes in the betting landscape, horseracing countrywide has languished in the doldrums for a large part of the 21st century.
The move by Hollywoodbets is thus seen as the dawn of a new era of management and capitalisation, that will introduce a focus on the best utilisation of resources, while embracing a wider universal appeal that will keep pace with ever evolving modern entertainment trends, directed at a wider customer market.
The investment by Hollywoodbets is set to ensure job security for the estimated 6 000 people employed directly and indirectly by the industry and peripheral services in the province, and foster broader stakeholder interest and incentive for investment through the modernisation of facilities in venues and training centres, while also upgrading prize money, which has lagged over the past 30 years.
The operational aspect of the introduction of a new-look racing programme, coupled with incentives to promote racehorse ownership and boost field sizes, an important component of the key driver of improved betting turnovers, is already well advanced.
Whilst ownership transfers on 1 May, the investment began months ago. A huge leap of faith was required. Even before this final approval by the KZNERA, Hollywoodbets had confidently commenced its considerable investment.
To date there has been extensive capital investment in facilities, which includes wide-scale renovation of buildings and equipment upgrades, as well as a revamp of the Hollywoodbets Greyville Polytrack.
Day-night racing has proved immensely popular in KwaZulu-Natal and a multi-million-Rand upgrade of the lighting facilities at the home of the historic Hollywoodbets Durban July, brings the Durban City racetrack on a par with leading night-racing venues internationally.
To have delayed these essential projects until formal approval had been given would have resulted in none of the work commencing until after the Champions Season.
The Summerveld Training Centre is also set for major improvements.
Plans are well advanced for an extensive capital injection that will result in a material upgrade of stabling, Grooms accommodation, roofing, roads and other infrastructure.
Hollywood CEO, Suren Rampersadh welcomed the announcement and confirmed that it was now all systems go for the company’s game changing plans to revitalise a sport that enjoys a unique place in the hearts and minds of passionate locals and the whole Purple Team.
“We wish to reaffirm that we are fully committed to securing the future of the horse racing industry in KwaZulu-Natal and are privileged to be in a custodial position to carry the baton into what we firmly believe will be a bright and prosperous future for the sport and all stakeholders in the region and beyond. The investment that commenced some time ago will continue, with plans to change the face and broad appeal of the business that operates in one of the most exciting sports internationally, with a global reach of over 584 million households,” added Rampersadh.
“This has been a long journey, and we are super-proud that our team has got it over the line. I am sure that our pride is more than matched by the relief and renewed enthusiasm of all stakeholders”.
The encouraging news comes in excellent time for the much-anticipated launch of the 2025 Champions Season at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
Three months of action-packed top-level horseracing will be headlined by the 129th renewal of the historic Hollywoodbets Durban July, which will be run over 2200m on Saturday 5 July 2025.
- Media release by Hollywood Sportsbook Holdings group on 1 May 2025
- All images by kind courtesy of Candiese Lenferna
