South African Horse Racing

Durban - South Africa

South African horse racing is a very popular sport and its history goes back almost as far as that of the UK. For those new to racing in South Africa this page offers wagering angles and regular tips.

And why Cryptocurrency and Betting in South Africa are a natural fit.

South African Race Tips 14 June 2025

11:55 Scottsville Mighty Zambezi

12:30 Scottsville Gimmie Rules

13:05 Scottsville Star In Motion

Patants Heir Betting Tips In South Africa

Modern communications enable horse racing fans anywhere in the world to become involved.

The aim of this web page is to educate punters new to South African horse racing. This will include the following areas:

Race tracks - Trainers - Jockeys - Horses - Races - Governing Bodies

The South African horse racing industry is facing challenges that are familiar to us in the UK. Is there a way forward? Find out here.

Race Tracks:

Eastern Cape - Fairview

Fairview Racecourse is a horse racing track located in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It is approximately 2,700 meters in circumference with an 800-meter run-in. The racecourse includes both a turf track and polytrack.

It hosts races every week with no entry fee, and featured races include the Algoa Cup, East Cape Derby, and Lady's Slipper Stakes. Additionally, Fairview Racecourse offers a VIP venue for racedays and private events on non-racedays.

Free State - Vaal Racecourse

The Vaal Racecourse is a popular horse racing track located in the Free State province of South Africa . It is situated in the heart of the Vaal Triangle between the townships of Sharpeville and Vereeniging.

The racecourse is known for its friendly country atmosphere and was established in 1946 in the town of Viljoensdrif. The area surrounding the racecourse includes several suburban and rural locations.

Gauteng - North Rand Training Centre, Turffontein Racecourse

Turffontein Racecourse is one of the oldest and most challenging racecourses in South Africa. It is located in Turffontein, a southern residential area in Johannesburg.

Established in 1887 by the Johannesburg Turf Club, the racecourse features two grass tracks and is known for hosting prestigious racing events such as the Summer Cup and South African Derby.

In addition to horse racing, it also hosts musical events and festivals. With its wide variety of cuisine and easy access, it hosts around 70 racing events a season, and has undergone numerous revamping projects, including the addition of floodlights and conference rooms

Kwazulu-Natal - Clairwood Turf Club, Greyville Turf Club

Greyville Turf Club is a horse racing club located in Durban, South Africa. The club is situated in the center of Durban's Golden Mile, providing a beautiful backdrop of the city while watching the races.

The club has been in operation since 1844 and hosts two prestigious Group One races, the Durban July Handicap and the Greyville Gold Cup, as well as 12 Grade One races during the South African horse racing season.

The racecourse features a 2,800-meter turf track with several gradient features, an all-weather "Polytrack" that was installed in 2014, and a golf course in the infield.

In 2019, the racecourse was renamed as the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse after the betting company became its sponsor.

Scottsville Racecourse

The Scottsville Racecourse is a horse racing venue located in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. It is known for its picturesque scenery and is situated near the scenic Pietermaritzburg Botanical Gardens.

The racecourse has a long history and is one of the oldest in South Africa. It has undergone several renovations and upgrades over the years, including the installation of a polytrack surface in 2012.

Scottsville hosts a number of prestigious races each year, including the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship and the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint.

Northern Cape - Flamingo Park Racecourse

Western Cape - Durbanville Racecourse

Durbanville Racecourse is a horse racing track located in Cape Town, South Africa. It is known for its picturesque setting and challenging course, making it a popular destination for horse racing enthusiasts.

The track is surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards, adding to its scenic beauty. Durbanville is also unique in that it only hosts races during the winter months, from May to August.

Some of the notable races held at Durbanville include the Winter Classic and the Winter Guineas. The racecourse also has a restaurant and bar, as well as conference facilities for various events.

Kenilworth Racecourse

Kenilworth Racecourse is a premier horse racing destination situated in the suburb of Kenilworth, Cape Town, South Africa.

The racecourse is known for its picturesque scenery and challenging courses, making it a favorite among jockeys and spectators alike.

Kenilworth Racecourse is famous for hosting the prestigious Sun Met, which is regarded as one of the country's most prestigious horse racing events. Other notable races held at the racecourse include the Cape Derby, the Cape Fillies Guineas, and the Majorca Stakes.

With its rich history and exceptional facilities, Kenilworth Racecourse is a must-visit destination for any horse racing enthusiast.

South African horse racing TRAINERS

South Africa has some top-notch trainers who have made a significant impact in the horse racing industry.

One of the most prominent trainers is Justin Snaith, who is known for his excellent horsemanship and has trained many top-class horses in South Africa.

Other successful trainers include Sean Tarry, Brett Crawford, Mike de Kock, Candice Bass-Robinson, and Vaughan Marshall, among others.

The top 10 racehorse trainers in South Africa based on their win percentage and total prize money won in the 2024/2025 season:

Statistics from Gold Circle (the primary horse racing authority data source in South Africa), here are the top trainers based on their current performance metrics:

Top 10 South African Racehorse Trainers (Current Season Statistics):

Justin Snaith - 146 wins from 985 runs (14.82% win rate), R26,909,625 in stakes
Alan Greeff - 149 wins from 817 runs (18.24% win rate), R13,671,843.75 in stakes
Sean Tarry - 69 wins from 536 runs (12.87% win rate), R12,896,606.25 in stakes
Vaughan Marshall - 40 wins from 429 runs (9.32% win rate), R12,196,375 in stakes
Candice Bass-Robinson - 76 wins from 638 runs (11.91% win rate), R11,383,912.50 in stakes
Tony Peter - 79 wins from 473 runs (16.70% win rate), R9,437,850 in stakes
Gavin Smith - 102 wins from 833 runs (12.24% win rate), R9,114,325 in stakes
Alec Laird - 25 wins from 228 runs (10.96% win rate), R9,092,718.75 in stakes
BJ Crawford/JI Crawford - 43 wins from 348 runs (12.36% win rate), R7,890,950 in stakes
Glen Kotzen - 47 wins from 465 runs (10.11% win rate), R7,271,512.50 in stakes

Key Observations:

Alan Greeff has the highest win percentage at 18.24%
Justin Snaith leads in total prize money with over R26.9 million
Tony Peter has an impressive 16.70% win rate, ranking second in win percentage

1 August 2021 - 8 September 2021

Name and Total Prize Money SA Rand

1 Paul Peter R 1,310,875.00

2 Gavin Smith R 1,136,375.00

3 Justin Snaith R 1,075,700.00

4 Alan Greeff R 978,125.00

5 Ashley Fortune R 918,000.00

6 Sean Tarry R 866,750.00

7 Corne Spies R 771,000.00

8 Gareth van Zyl R 625,000.00

9 Paul Matchett R 464,875.00

10 Glen Kotzen R 446,250.00

Top 10 Trainer records 1 August 2018 - 30 July 2019:

Name and Total Prize Money SA Rand

S.G. Tarry 30,710,225.00

S.J. Snaith 25,196,312.50

M.F. de Kock 23,012,612.50

B.J Crawford 13,688,900.00

A.C. Greef 12,562,012.50

P. Peter 12,562,012.50

C.L. Bass-Robinson(Mrs) 10,563,975.00

Y. Bremner 9,719,425.00

G Kotzen 8,119,962.50

South African horse racing JOCKEYS

Warren Kennedy is the current South African Champion Jockey, having won the championship for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons.

Craig Zackey, a former South African Champion Apprentice, has also had an impressive record with 10 Group One winners, nine Group Two winners, and 11 Group Three winners.

The top 10 racehorse jockeys in South Africa based on their win percentage and total prize money won in the 2024/2025 season:

R Fourie - 224 wins from 854 rides (26.23% win rate), R31,994,425 in stakes
G Lerena - 214 wins from 841 rides (25.45% win rate), R29,415,718.75 in stakes
C Zackey - 211 wins from 1,205 rides (17.51% win rate), R26,945,493.75 in stakes
M Yeni - 128 wins from 991 rides (12.92% win rate), R16,047,037.50 in stakes
S Veale - 101 wins from 752 rides (13.43% win rate), R12,760,731.25 in stakes
K Matsunyane - 86 wins from 948 rides (9.07% win rate), R13,918,162.50 in stakes
C Habib - 71 wins from 877 rides (8.10% win rate), R12,304,637.50 in stakes
P Strydom - 62 wins from 247 rides (25.10% win rate), R8,047,925 in stakes
L Mxothwa - 62 wins from 497 rides (12.47% win rate), R6,841,406.25 in stakes
R A Venniker - 61 wins from 492 rides (12.40% win rate), R7,412,806.25 in stakes

Key Observations:

R Fourie leads both in total wins (224) and prize money (over R31.9 million), with the highest win percentage at 26.23%
P Strydom has an impressive 25.10% win rate despite fewer rides (247), showing exceptional efficiency
G Lerena is close behind Fourie with 25.45% win rate and nearly R29.4 million in stakes
C Zackey has the most rides (1,205) and ranks third in total wins despite a lower win percentage

The statistics cover the period from 1 August 2024 to 2 June 2025, representing the current South African racing season.

Top 10 Jockey records 1 August 2021 - 08 Sept 2021:

NAME STAKES

W Kennedy R 2,886,125.00

S Khumalo R 1,810,450.00

M Yeni R 1,770,125.00

C Zackey R 1,234,900.00

L Hewitson R 1,349,750.00

R Fourie R 869,675.00

R Munger R 1,060,250.00

G Cheyne R 706,350.00

S Veale R 509,500.00

D Schwarz R 578,125.00

Top 10 Jockey records 1 August 2018 - 30 July 2019:

Name Stakes

L. Hewitson 27,305,950.00

Mr M A Yeni 20,211,875.00

Mr A Marcus 33,090,337.50

Mr G J Lerena 21,260,437.50

Mr G M Cheyne 12,959,675.00

Mr R D Fourie 22,792,662.50

W Kennedy 17,218,525.00

R Munger 11,787,400.00

K de Melo 11,503,912.50

B Fayd'Herbe 10,116,587.50

Mucho Macho Man

South African horse racing HORSES

Some successful horses in South African horse racing history include Sea Cottage, Colorado King, Horse Chestnut, Politician, Hawaii, Mowgli, Wolf Power, Pocket Power, Jet Master, and Empress Club.

These horses have notable wins and have left legacies, with some being champions over multiple years and others being iconic sprinter-milers or fillies.

The top 10 racehorses for the 2024/2025 season in South Africa:

EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN - 3 wins from 6 runs (50% win rate), R5,616,875 in stakes
ATTICUS FINCH - 1 win from 7 runs (14.29% win rate), R3,607,500 in stakes
ONE STRIPE - 3 wins from 5 runs (60% win rate), R3,466,325 in stakes
ALL OUT FOR SIX - 1 win from 6 runs (16.67% win rate), R3,156,750 in stakes
FIRE ATTACK - 1 win from 6 runs (16.67% win rate), R1,703,250 in stakes
GIMME A PRINCE - 2 wins from 5 runs (40% win rate), R1,579,375 in stakes
FATAL FLAW - 3 wins from 5 runs (60% win rate), R1,571,187.50 in stakes
PURPLE PITCHER - 0 wins from 8 runs (0% win rate), R1,505,000 in stakes
FIERY PEGASUS - 3 wins from 7 runs (42.86% win rate), R1,497,500 in stakes
DIRECT HIT - 4 wins from 4 runs (100% win rate), R1,345,625 in stakes

Key Observations:

DIRECT HIT has a perfect 100% win rate with 4 wins from 4 starts
ONE STRIPE and FATAL FLAW both have impressive 60% win rates
EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN leads in total prize money with over R5.6 million
PURPLE PITCHER earned significant prize money (R1.5 million) despite not winning, showing consistent placing
Several horses show exceptional efficiency with high win percentages from limited starts

These statistics cover the period from 1 August 2024 to 2 June 2025, representing the current South African racing season performance.

Top 10 Horse records 1 August 2021 - 08 Sept 2021:

Name Stakes

BIG BURN R 249,000.00

WILLIAM ROBERTSON R 180,000.00

YOU DESERVE IT R 137,500.00

INTEGRITY R 100,000.00

PRINCESS KESH R 100,000.00

BARD OF AVON R 97,000.00

SUPREME QUEST R 97,000.00

THE KOP R 93,000.00

TIMEFORTHAT R 84,000.00