South Africa might be the last place which springs to mind when someone mentions horse racing but in South Africa it’s a highly regarded sport having regular horse racing events that take place throughout the country, horse racing in South Africa can be traced back to as far as 1797 and is one of the country’s oldest past times.
South Africa has three major races in the racing calendar which stand head and shoulders above the rest, what makes it so special is that they are in three different cities in South Africa, being located in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
South Africa’s most famous race course is arguably the Vodacom Durban Handicap and is predominantly where most travellers choose to visit because of the time of the year the race takes place(July), but sadly several holiday makers are missing out on South Africa’s other great horseraces. So let’s have a little closer look into the country’s other stars in its racing calendar.
Turffontein in Johannesburg plays host to the Summer Cup and is the oldest horse race in South Africa, the event is a magnet for celebrities, socialites and those feeling lucky. The course is regarded as one of the toughest in South Africa featuring a steady climb for the majority of the race. This year the event takes place on Saturday 26th November and is the hottest social event on Johannesburg’s entertainment calendar. It’s an experience which radiates style, excitement and luxury.
Highlights in Johannesburg – Away from the track the main points of interest for any visitor should be the Apartheid museum; it’s an incredibly moving experience and is so powerful that it almost makes you feel like you were there.
The Lion Park is a great stop for those that don’t have enough time to go on a safari for more than a few days. Here you can experience a luxury safari, getting up close to some of Africa’s finest animals which is an experience quite like no other.
Horse lovers will love Johannesburg as it is home to the Lipizzaner show, an equestrian extravaganza which can only been seen in one other country in the world – Austria. The Lipizzaner is the true horse of royalty and is one of Europe’s oldest breeds of horse and today is the ultimate mount for horsemanship. This world renowned dressage event attracts visitors from across the country and indeed internationally and is a must for horse lovers.
J & B Met is Cape Town’s star attraction on the race calendar drawing in elite crowds in a day which delivers fun, fashion and a spontaneity which is unlike most other race events in Africa, as each year the J & B Met has a brand new theme, which promises something bigger and better than the last adding to the event’s incredible atmosphere. The race itself showcases 16 elite racehorses who compete for the grand prize of R2.5 million in a race which is just over 2,000 meters. The race is only 35 years old but it has not stopped it from becoming one of South Africa’s premier events in the world of horseracing.
Highlights in Cape Town – A trip to the top of the iconic Table Mountain is an absolute must for anyone visiting Cape Town. You can catch a cable car up to the top gliding silently up the mountain or you can reach the summit on foot through several beautiful albeit tiring trails. For a high octane experience I would recommend taking the world’s highest commercial abseil down to the bottom of the mountain to add an extra dimension to your Table Mountain experience.
Other highlights in Cape Town include a heart pumping cage dive with sharks which can be done just off the coast of Cape Town, stepping into a cage with sharks is a once in a lifetime experience and one that you will never forget. For a more relaxing experience in Cape Town why not head out to the Cape’s idyllic winelands where you may sample the incredible wine whilst being surrounded in some of the country’s most beautiful landscape
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