Joburg’s hottest – and richest – horseracing event of the year, the 2023 Betway Summer Cup, takes place this Saturday 25 November at the majestic Turffontein Racecourse in the south of Johannesburg.
The highly anticipated Summer Cup is one of the biggest events on the Joburg social and events calendar and is a fantastic, fun day in the outdoors for lovers of the sport of horseracing, or simply for Joburgers looking for an entertaining day out to kickstart the festive season.
Horseracing operators 4Racing and global betting company, Betway, have upped the stakes considerably by doubling last year’s prize money to a whopping R5 million for this historic race, which will see 20 of the country’s finest throughbreds competing for the grand prize of being Joburg’s Summer Cup champions.
Steeped in history, the Betway Summer Cup has brought together Joburg’s communities since its inception in 1887 with crowds flocking to Turffontein to experience the excitement of world-class thoroughbred horse racing.
Aside from the racing, there is plenty of entertainment, great food and drink, a kiddies play area for the young ones and a Half Time show featuring DJ Zinhle and popular hitmaker Lady Du to look forward to at the event.
All you need to know about the 2023 Betway Summer Cup:
Gates open at 09h30 on Saturday 25 November at Turffontein Racecourse in the south of Johannesburg, with the first race starting at 11h30 and the main race – the 2023 Betway Summer Cup – taking place at 15h35.
Tickets are available from just R100 at ticketpros.co.za for an amazing day of fun, adrenaline and family entertainment. A variety of hospitality options are also stll available at https://www.betwaysummercup.co.za.
The theme for this year’s event is ‘Summer Reign’ – so dress up in whatever makes you feel strong and powerful and get ready to own your Summer after a hard year with a great day at the races.
Entertainment galore
The Betway Summer Cup is the only horse racing event with a dedicated Half Time show ahead of the main race and this year’s entertainment line-up is sure to sizzle.
Celebrated deejay, DJ Zinhle and hitmaker Lady Du known for her popular song ‘Tjina’ were announced as the performers for the Half Time Show and official After Party of the Betway Summer Cup and are sure to get the crowds jumping ahead of the big main race, with a possible cameo on course by musician Ricky Tyler to look out for.
Joburg’s top socialites are also set to walk the event’s red carpet on the day, dressed by the likes of top Joburg fashion house Excelsior Lusso.
Joburg Tourism Company are also major event partners and will host a ‘Joburg Summer Fashion Market’ with 20 of Joburg’s top fashion and lifestyle SMME’s exhibiting their wares on the day.
Who to look out for on the track
A total of 10 high-energy races are scheduled throughout the day. The main race, the 2023 Betway Summer Cup, starts at 15h35 with 20 of the top thoroughbreds in the country lining up to participate in this special race. Soweto’s own world-class jockey from Meadowlands, Kabelo Matsunyane, will be riding Winchester Mansion in the main race, as they look to compete a famous Durban July and Joburg Summer Cup double in the same year. Defending champion Puerto Manzano, Bless My Stars, Cousin Casey, Anfields Rocket and Bingwa are also horses to look out for in the big main race.
Joburgers, a great day out on the Turffontein track awaits, at one of the city’s most exciting events of the year.
