The retirement at the end of this month of energetic Race Coast Chairman Greg Bortz will close another chapter in the extraordinary ‘renaissance’ of Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal horse racing over the past four years.
At the age of 56, the man who has led by example from the front and properly broken the mould of the stereotypical stand-off corporate leadership of old, told the Sporting Post that he is now ready to step away from the boardroom and start enjoying married life and his racing, as an owner and a fan.
He and long-time partner Gina Goldsmith tied the knot on 28 December 2025 and are looking forward to pursuing their passion for racing.
The couple have acquired a farm in Franschhoek, and intend to stable a portion of their burgeoning broodmare band there, as they gear towards plenty of support for their much-loved Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Oriental Charm, a member of the illustrious Drakenstein stallion barn.
Reflecting back on his experience at Race Coast and as an agent of industry change, Greg Bortz says that the time has flown by.
“It has been both exhausting and rewarding in equal measure. When I was in discussions with Owen Heffer and Basil Thomas of Hollywoodbets in July 2022, I said I could commit to three years. In the blink of an eye, and suddenly it is already four years later! But I am happy. And proud,” enthused Bortz as he explained that most of the strategic milestones that had been established at the outset, have been reached, some of which ‘came with a high degree of difficulty’.
