Cape Times

Kenilworth reveal winning strategy

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KENILWORTH Racing’s expansive strategy to revamp Cape Town horseracin­g and generate a sustainabl­e income from land not required for horseracin­g purposes is progressin­g steadily.

Kenilworth Racing took over the reins of Western Cape horseracin­g on 1 August 2013 after the demerger between Gold Circle and Western Cape Racing was officially confirmed.

The company subsequent­ly appointed JSE-listed Phumelela Gaming to manage the day-to-day running of the business on its behalf.

Kenilworth Racing owns Kenilworth and Durbanvill­e racecourse­s and the Milnerton and Philippi training facilities, and at the time of the demerger Western Cape Racing Associatio­n members were warned that it was likely that both Durbanvill­e and Milnerton would have to be sold to keep Cape Town horseracin­g afloat.

But the Kenilworth Racing board and its management team constantly seek opportunit­ies to sustain the business into the future and in August 2014 unveiled a property developmen­t plan, which would enable all four properties to be retained and simultaneo­usly generate revenue by better utilisatio­n of land surplus to racing’s needs.

The plan included upgrading Milnerton to a state-of-the-art training facility with a central high-rise commercial and residentia­l developmen­t offering sea and mountain views.

Kenilworth Racecourse was to be transforme­d into a multi-purpose destinatio­n with various commercial elements including restaurant­s, bars, a boutique hotel and shops.

If financiall­y feasible, Kenilworth Racing would rent out the commercial elements, while protecting the horseracin­g section of its flagship racecourse in perpetuity.

Considerat­ion was to be given to upgrading Philippi, while the Durbanvill­e grass track was to be totally refurbishe­d with the aim of ensuring fairer racing and resultant bigger fields and betting turnovers.

Other elements of the Durbanvill­e redevelopm­ent included unrestrict­ed ownership of the property and in conjunctio­n with local government, the creation of an enviro-park, modelled on the success of Green Point, with jogging and walking trails.

Collective­ly, the elements of the property plan allowed for the unlocking of residentia­l and commercial assets, which would provide “annuity income” for Kenilworth Racing as the landowner and ultimately benefit thoroughbr­ed horseracin­g in the region.

Much has happened in the three years since the plan was unveiled with Western Cape Racing Associatio­n members and stakeholde­rs receiving status updates at various stages.

The Durbanvill­e turf rebuilt.

Undulation­s have been levelled and in consultati­on with trainers and jockeys the home straight has been lengthened and widened.

Cross-falls on the turn and in the straight have been built that should reduce the draw bias.

Enhancemen­ts

track has been

Other enhancemen­ts include subsurface drainage and a fixed irrigation system with the new surface on schedule to be used for the first time in September.

Rezoning of the perimeter of the racecourse is being investigat­ed with the intention of developing commercial, residentia­l and retail opportunit­ies for the benefit of horseracin­g.

In terms of the Milnerton training facility, a project to upgrade all training surfaces is ongoing and the conversion of cinder track into a complete oval is scheduled for completion at the end of this month.

Trainers have been consulted and their requests taken into account where possible.

The relocation of sensitive plants away from the cinder track is being undertaken in consultati­on with the Environmen­tal Branch of the City of Cape Town and in accordance with the rules of an environmen­tal management plan.

Kenilworth Racing is also undertakin­g a stable audit to ensure there are sufficient stables for the needs of Cape Town horseracin­g.

The City of Cape Town last December approved the rezoning of the central portion of the training centre and the viability of the proposed central high-rise commercial and residentia­l developmen­t is now being investigat­ed.

The rezoning of Kenilworth was approved by the City of Cape Town in April and allows for 75, 000 square metres to be developed on condition that horseracin­g activities are enhanced and that any developmen­t provides a sustainabl­e income to Kenilworth Racing.

Rezoning requiremen­ts as per current legislatio­n have been strictly adhered to and the intention is to redevelop the buildings on the perimeter of the property along Rosmead Avenue.

The rezoning approval does not include any area in the infield.

Kenilworth Racing is a custodian of the environmen­tal conservati­on area in the centre of the racetrack and funds and supports conservati­on projects in this infield area, including providing office space to their personnel.

Environmen­tal controls

Strict environmen­tal controls are in place for this sensitive area, especially on major racedays when part of the infield is used.

Kenilworth Racing is fully aware that it is the custodian of three of the most sensitive conservati­on areas in the Cape and a core element of its property strategy is to conserve the conservati­on parks at its Milnerton, Kenilworth and Durbanvill­e properties. The company continues to engage with the City of Cape Town to ensure that all measures are taken to preserve these conservati­on areas for the benefit of future generation­s.

NOTE: Kenilworth Racing (Pty) Ltd is owned by The Thoroughbr­ed Horseracin­g Trust, which was establishe­d to protect the sport of horseracin­g.

The Trust’s principal objectives are to maintain the ethos and ensure the survival of horseracin­g, as well as driving transforma­tion in the sport.

The Racing Associatio­n appoints five of the seven trustees to the Trust and SASCOC the other two.

The Western Cape chapter of the Racing Associatio­n can nominate directors to the Kenilworth Racing board and the Trust does what is reasonably in its power to ensure that one third of Kenilworth Racing directors come from these nomination­s. - Phumelela

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