Author: GC

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Turffontein Racecourse

Turffontein Racecourse is one of the leading horse racing racetracks in South  Africa. The racecourse is considered one of the racetracks that test stamina as horses contend with the climb towards the end. Turffontein was opened in 1887 and has amassed a wealth of history as one of the favorite racetracks in the country. It is located in Turffontein, Gauteng. The racecourse is the  responsibility of Johannesburg Turf Club.

The facility at Turffontein has both the inner and outer tracks. Turffontein Racecourse is known for two main race days; Group One Derby and the Summer Cup, which comes in November.

Horseracing has a large following in South Africa and you can count on the right ambience; lots of families, good catering and expert horse racing. A race day may be more fun if you happen to visit Turffontein with a festival running concurrently. At such times, the venue fills to the brim. The adults can enjoy some harmless wagering as they watch their favourite horse jostle it out on the last climb. This is one of the racetracks where races contested from the bend get very exciting.

The grandstand is elevated and strategically positioned to give the fans an unadulterated view of the races. It also affords you the best skyline view of the Johannesburg sky, one you cannot find elsewhere.

The racetrack has undergone many changes over the years, with the most recent refurbishments being moving of the parade ring closer to the racetrack so that fans can see the jockeys upclose as they get ready for the start of the race. Floodlights have also been installed to make it possible to have nighttime racing. When the Summer Cup starts, night racing makes events even more exciting. Race-goers enjoy some live music coupled with snacks or formal meals. The venue also has a kiddie area where children can enjoy themselves when there is daytime racing. Conferencing facilities are also available as well as grounds for concerts and festivals.

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Black Caviar

Black Caviar was an exceptional Australian racemare who retired from racing undefeated in 25 races between 2009 and 2013. Fifteen of her victories came at Group 1 level, beating the record previously held by compatriot, and former Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year, Kingston Town, who won 14 Group 1 races, including the W.S. Cox Plate three times, between 1979 and 1982.

 

By Bel Esprit – and hence from the family of Royal Academy, Nijinsky and Northern Dancer – out of an unraced dam, Helsinge, Black Caviar was owned by a syndicate that included Gary and Kerryn Wilkie, Colin and Jannene Madden, Neil Werrett, Pam Hawkes and David and Jill Taylor and trained, in Melbourne, by Peter Moody. Her name was derived from that of her granddam, Scandinavia, where people have a predilection for fish eggs, including salmon roe or, in other words, salmon or red caviar. Her racing colours – salmon with black spots – were a natural progression of the same idea.

 

The closest Black Caviar came to defeat was on the one and only occasion she raced outside Australia, in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2012. Sent off at prohibitive odds of 1/6, Black Caviar took command inside the final furlong under hands and heels riding only for jockey Luke Nolen to ease down prematurely in the closing stages, allowing Moonlight Cloud to close to within a head as the pair flashed past the post. Nolen said afterwards, “I didn’t mistake the winning post. I just tried to let her coast home and she stopped under me, but I got away with it. I didn’t ease her down.”

 

Having narrowly avoided calamity at Ascot – where trainer Peter Moody conceded she was below par – Black Caviar returned to Australia and didn’t race again until the following February. When she did, though, she won the Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington, the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley and the T. J. Smith Stakes at Randwick – all Group 1 contests – with consummate ease, at long odds-on, before her eventual retirement from racing, as a six-year-old, in April 2013.

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Wolverhampton

Woverhampton racecourse is an enthralling venue for horse racing and offers much more in top-notch facilities and hospitality services. The thoroughbred horse racing venue has been in service since 1888. The first race was held in August of that year. It is located in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England. Known as Wolverhampton racecourse and Conference Center, the venue is one of the most prestigious in the area with a Holiday Inn at the site.

The oval course has a circumference 1,609 m wide-just over a mile, and a Tapeta surface. It has left handed turns, which is more common with racetrack in the US than the UK.

History of the racecourse

Wolverhampton has always had horseracing. There was a racecourse where West Park now sits which was moved to the current venue in 1888. In December 1993, the racecourse received a major facelift with the addition of a Fibersand track flanking the turf track. A new grandstand, hotel and restaurant were also added as part of the revamp.In 1999, the course was shifted from private ownership and was bought by Arena Leisure which also revamped it in 2004 replacing the Fibersand track with a Polytrack surface then Tapeta in 2014. Since then, the racecourse became an all-weather venue, focusing on flat races only.

With all the transformations, Wolverhampton racecourse has hurtled above and beyond market standards in horse racing and hospitality as well. New improvements are set to make it a first of its kind as plans are underway to expand the hotel and build a casino, making it a racino; the first in the UK.

Prominent fixtures

The venue currently holds over 60 fixtures in one calendar season. The most notable events are the William Hill Lincoln Trial day, Lady Wulfruna Stakes and Lincoln Trial Stakes. Visitors can enjoy races from Ringside-where you get to see the action close up as you munch away in the carvery restaurant. You could also buy Horizon tickets where you get to enjoy the panoramic view of the grandstand as well as excellent dining. Private suites are also available with different hospitality packages.