The best news to come out of South African horse racing all year is that Hollywoodbets are the new sponsors of the Kenilworth and Durbanville racecourses in Cape Town. In October 2022, both tracks had successful launch events under their new stewardship, starting with Hollywoodbets Durbanville (read about it here), and more recently, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth – the spectacular event I attended this past weekend.
Written By Simon Capstick-Dale
Setting the scene
The Hollywoodbets housewarming or rather track-warming event at Kenilworth felt extra special as by some strange miracle, I’ve never been to the races. I’ve attended polo matches at Val de Vie in Paarl and Kurland Estate near Plettenberg Bay, but never watched a single horse race in person… this despite being a keen punter for more than 10 years!
As South Africa’s oldest racecourse, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s unique location on a seasonal wetland brimming with wildlife means it holds a special place in the hearts of all racing enthusiasts. So what better place to watch racing for the first time than Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, just a 3-minute drive from where I live in Cape Town.
The Hollywoodbets Kenilworth experience
Our day at the races was a fantastic experience, thanks in most part to the warm hospitality of Hollywoodbets, who ensured our drinks were always full and we were never without something delicious to nibble on. While there were many race-goers with their heads down studiously reading form from one off to the next, I must admit we were far more interested in catching up with friends and soaking up the atmosphere of a great race day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
That said, I did take the occasional walk to the outside rail to watch the dramatic last few seconds of a race as the runners hit the home stretch. There’s something truly magical about how the world stands completely still for those final moments when a race is either won or heartbreakingly lost depending on your allegiances. Watching punters cheer their horse on to the finish line can be just as fun as having a bet, and it makes the horse racing experience all the more exciting for everyone in attendance at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
The future of racing looks bright
It’s encouraging to have an innovative and forward-thinking organisation like Hollywoodbets breathing new life into South African horse racing. Having attended the launch of the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, I can say with certainty that the future of the sport is in good hands. Through this exciting sponsorship deal, Hollywoodbets and Cape Racing are working closely together to change the face of horse racing in South Africa and improve the overall experience for race-goers.
Hollywoodbets and Cape Racing aim to bring together communities and showcase the thrill of horse racing to both new and old crowds. This initiative will include upgrading racecourse facilities, introducing fun on-track race day activities and creating the ideal platform for the new RaceCape campaign powered by Hollywoodbets.
If you haven’t yet been to the races in Cape Town since Hollywoodbets took the reigns, we highly recommend a visit to both the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and Hollywoodbets Durbanville racecourses. If you live in the Durban area and want to join the excitement, Hollywoodbets Greyville and Hollywoodbets Scottsville are also great racing venues for a fun day out!