4Racing raises stakes and raider incentives

THE racing fraternity in the Eastern Cape will be overjoyed by the news that 4Racing has announced an 8% increase in stakes, as well as a guaranteed 66 race meetings in Gqeberha for the 10-month period starting in May.

4Racing, which operates the race courses on the Highveld as well as in the Eastern Cape, will offer an impressive overall stakes pot of R177 million during this time, maintaining its position as a leader operator.

A total of 122 race meetings will be hosted on the Highveld during this time frame.

To reward the dedication of trainers on the Highveld and Gqeberha, 4Racing has introduced an attractive incentives program. Trainers can earn between R15 000 and R35 000 per month if 90% of their monthly runners contest races in 4Racing’s jurisdiction. This excludes Grade 1, 2, and 3 runners, allowing the 4Racing-based trainers to still contest the major races hosted by the other racing operators.

Should a trainer produce 90% of his or her runners on the Highveld or Gqerbha during May, June, and July this year, the trainer will receive a payment of R25 000 per month.

Trainers who saddle 90% of their runners on the Highveld or Gqerbha during August 2024 to February 2025, will receive R15 000 per month.

“Recognising the invaluable contribution of trainers, 4Racing is committed to providing additional support and subsidies to further incentivise participation,” said Gabriel Soma, 4Racing Head of Operations.

“Trainers who meet specific criteria will receive substantial discounts on stable rentals, encouraging a supportive environment for their operations.”

According to Soma, raiding trainers will also benefit from a subsidy program to ensure invaluable compensation and support for bringing their horses upcountry and to Gqeberha.

The raider incentives include a R15 000 payment for trainers achieving 1-5 runners per month across the 4Racing jurisdictions.

Raiding trainers achieving 6-10 runners per month across the 4Racing jurisdictions will receive R20 000 per month for that month, while raiding trainers achieving 12 or more runners per month across the 4Racing jurisdictions will receive R30 000 per month.

As an added bonus, 4Racing will pay a travel allowance to raiding trainers. 4Racing will pay R1 000 towards the transport of any runners in a normal race; R5 000 towards the transport for listed race runners; R10 000 towards the transport for Grade 2 and 3 runners; and R30 000 towards the transport for Grade 1 runners.

“As 4Racing strives to enrich the ownership experience, we are currently working on additional incentives aimed at benefiting owners, with further details to be announced in due course”, said Soma. –