Amateur horseracing to get a boost in Eastern Cape

Phumelela Gaming will give amateur horseracing in the Eastern Cape a boost by staging three races for horses, trainers and jockeys who compete on the rural racing circuit in the region.

The initiative flows from talks between the Eastern Cape Amateur Horseracing Association and Phumelela management in the region.

It has been agreed to stage three races at Fairview - a 1000m sprint on Friday 15 May, an 1100m race on Friday 12 June and a 1200m race on Friday 10 July.

There are normal Fairview race meetings on those dates and in each case the amateur event will be carded as Race 1 on the programme.

Trainers, jockeys and horses will score points across the three races and awards will be presented in each of the three categories at the end of the series.

Phumelela will provide transport from selected pick-up points on the day before each race and all horses will undergo a veterinary examination to ensure they are fit to compete.

Prize money will be paid to the connections of the first five finishers in each race. All equipment for the horses and owner silks will be supplied by Phumelela.

All horses currently on the rural racing circuit will be eligible for the three races.

“It’s taken some time to put together and we are delighted that the series is now in place,” said Luciano Passerini, General Manager of Phumelela Horseracing in the Eastern Cape.

“Amateur racing takes place regularly in the rural community and we have wanted for some time to play our part in making it as safe as possible for all participants, as well as giving it the recognition it deserves,” he added. -