GC Media Release July Day Wrap

5 JULY 2008



Greyville Racecourse and Gold Circle played host to a highly successful Vodacom Durban July Racemeeting on Saturday. Official public attendance was 49 633 but when all the staff were factored in, total on-course attendance was estimated to be around 60 000.



In spite of a serious downturn in the national economy, Gold Circle CEO Michel Nairac, said he was very happy with the tote turnover on the racemeeting even though it had been “flat”.



The on course tote takings were R49,6 million, up on last year and takings on the national tote were also slightly up at R93,6 million as opposed to last year’s R92,1 million.



Main race takings were slightly down, at R35,4 million as opposed to R36,4 million last year.



Vodacom’s Regional Manager in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Alberts Breedt, said that he had been extremely happy with Saturday’s event. He said he shared this relationship with Gold Circle with great pride as it did so much for Vodacom.



For the first time in 41 years, since the legendary Sea Cottage – Jollify epic, the race finished in a dead-heat with the top weight and favourite Pocket Power sharing the spoils with the grey filly Dancer’s Daughter.



Under masterful rides by jockeys Bernard Fayd’herbe and Kevin Shea respectively, the judges were unable to separate the two.



Close behind in third was Bound By Honour with River Jetez in fourth place.

10000 staff? 1 for every 5 patrons? Wow.

Once again, Cape form holding better than Gauteng. Is this the begininng of the end up their ?

Surely they meant 50,000 as in 367 staff?

It could also mean paying public? and not included the owners/trainers/pass holders that entered free?
Just my guess, the last time I posted on "Track Attendance", I had to except some nasty replies, but would still like to know how the big T is doing, maybe we have someone with closer links to Phumelela than I was accused of having and a well worded letter might give us an answer?