The biggest question asked when Greg Bortz and Hollywoodbets began pouring money into Cape Racing was how long it could last for. Bortz answered that question at the Cape Racing awards evening where he revealed that Cape Racing’s racecourses and the racing itself would become self-sustaining not only through Tote turnover but also by making the racecourses multipurpose properties attractive for families to visit seven days a week. He has once again delivered on these words and the following article appeared in the mainstream media late last week.
Heleen Boshoff (People’s Post, News 24)
In keeping with the heritage of the Kenilworth Racecourse, Cape Racing’s Chief Operating Officer Donovan Everitt is excited to introduce the multipurpose property to the wider community. PHOTOS: Heleen Boshoff.
The stirring hustle and bustle at the Kenilworth Racecourse alluded to the return of splendour thanks to a palpable rejuvenation as one proceeded through the refurbished halls of the home of Hollywoodbets, soon to be surrounded by a more inviting offering for the wider community.
In Jay Gatsby fashion, coffee in hand, Cape Racing’s Chief Operating Officer Donovan Everitt showcased plenty of developments on the property during a revival walking tour of Hollywood Park on Thursday 25 January.
As an experienced director of major event management with a demonstrated history of working in the events services industry, according to his LinkedIn profile, Everitt endeavours to reinvent the racecourse in a recourse from an industry in “dire straits” as he, frankly, put it.
“I 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,” he told People’s Post.
He explained the course’s management was previously run from offices in Jo’burg, driving business at a loss of the intimate racing and betting experience, detached from local business perspectives and the community.
“Considering the previous management, it seemed the spirit of horse racing got lost amid the close-knit patrons who enjoyed the lavish fashionable jewel events in seclusion. For too long, people on the outside were not included in these various event perspectives, and we aim to transform this completely.”
Single events are held at the legacy property and oldest racecourse in South Africa, such as the crowned WSB Cape Town MET diamond event held in February. These boost the local economy with an estimated half-a-billion rand.
More and bigger events, like the Ultra Festival, will call Kenilworth their home, as long as event owners and organisers adhere to the stringent by-laws and internal rules and regulations of the racecourse.
This prompted excitement from Ward 58 councillor Katherine Christie, adding: “I believe we need to balance the benefits of the events at the racecourse to our economy, and especially youth employment, with temporary and momentary inconvenience to residents when it comes to noise. I found that the majority of my residents are happy with the events set to take place, it’s the few that complain.”
She appeals of “the few” to tolerate the slight inconvenience of one or two events that become noisy, “in consideration of the benefits to our local economy and people who need jobs”.
Hollywood Park: Open seven-days-a-week
Thanks to a brand-new team of executives and managing staff, business at Kenilworth Racecourse will be an all-rounder property operating seven-days-a-week catering to the wider public.
“This will now be run as a multipurpose property in the heart of the Southern Suburbs as a site open for public recreation in a park format,” introduced Everitt.
He said the past year’s vision saw phase one of renovations that prepared the property for the racing season from November through to February.
“These rejuvenations seek to create new interests into racing for owners, breeders and trainers because, without them, we don’t exist.”
“Another spin-off was formulated as we looked at the industry of grooms, trainers and breeders. This led us to formulate stimulation incentive packages to promote owners and horse breeding to get more horses on the course.”
During the takeover of the racecourse, a total of 720 horses have increased to 1 800 horses over the past year.
“For every one horse on the course, an average of 20 people are employed in the industry. It’s important to increase the horse population, as well as increase the owners’ experience as it’s vital to the growth of the industry.”
Everitt and his teams work hard to ensure upgraded world-class facilities to offer open recreational experiences to reposition the racecourse’s future.
Following the season, phase two is to be set in motion to enter new markets.
“We looked at overseas ventures promoting ‘sportainment’ in which a multitude of sports, like pedalling, will be introduced into one ecosystem.
“Beside being the oldest racecourse, the ecosystem of Kenilworth’s Conservation Area is rated higher than that of Kirstenbosch.”
This is where Cape Racing seeks to introduce fitness spaces, running and biking courses, and a dog park “to be an extension of the community’s homes and lifestyle”.
This is how Everitt detailed the resurrection of horse racing with the racecourse’s multipurpose plans in offering the community more, bigger and better.
In conclusion, Christie had this to say: “The community will benefit massively from the new and improved park that’s about to be developed on their doorstep.
“Residents will now have 24/7 access to a space they will be able to enjoy with their children and dogs – for free.
“It’s a win-win!”
