If you are a true fan of horse racing, you’d know that the sport doesn’t have any boundaries. It is one of the most globally spread sports that experts say origins can be traced back to Great Britain and has spread due to colonization of the British Empire.
Even though the world focuses on some of the biggest races like Kentucky Derby, the truth is, that there is plenty of horse racing action on every continent. In this case, we are going to talk about Africa, specifically South Africa.
South Africa, a land known for its diverse landscapes and vibrant culture, is also home to some of the most thrilling and picturesque horse racing tracks in the world.
Turffontein Racecourse – Johannesburg
Even though Johannesburg isn’t the capital city of South Africa that gets all the attention, there are still some amazing racecourses there. Commonly known as the city of gold, has actually quite a rich history of horse racing.
The most popular racecourse is Turffontein and it is known for hosting some of the most prestigious races in South Africa, which makes it a top-tier destination for all horse racing participants and fans from all around the world.
The surprising fact is Turffontein’s rich history. The racecourse was established way back in 1892 and since then it has been hosting horse races non-stop. Once they even found huge piles of gold under the track, but that didn’t stop the organizers from hosting races. The gold was mined 1.5km beneath the surface while racing continued.
With a capacity for over 20,000 spectators, Turffontein plays host to numerous Grade 1 races, including the South African Derby and the Summer Cup. The vibrant atmosphere and high-stakes racing make Turffontein an electrifying destination.
Kenilworth Racecourse – Cape Town
Now we move to the capital city of South Africa – Cape Town. The usual destination for people who travel to South Africa, and fortunately there are some racecourses that host quite exciting races.
This is the first official racecourse established in South Africa that first opened its doors in 1881.
This historic venue exudes a timeless elegance, with lush greenery and a meticulously maintained track. Kenilworth hosts some of the country’s most prestigious races, including the Cape Derby and the Queen’s Plate.
Greyville Racecourse – Durban
Moving to the coastal city of Durban, we find Greyville Racecourse, a place where history meets the sea breeze.
This is one of the most beautiful racecourses in the country due to its unique location. The Greyville Racecourse design is also quite unusual for horse racing.
For starters, it is a 2,800 meter pear-shaped turf track, that has variations in altitude. The truck is gently uphill from the 2,400 mark to the 1,800m mark, and after that, it goes downward for 800 meters. The only flat surface is the homestretch of 500 meters.
Greyville is renowned for hosting the Durban July, one of the country’s most prestigious horse racing events. This is now known as the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse due to its latest sponsor.
Vaal Racecourse, Vereeniging
This is a racecourse that might not host big and prestigious races like the other ones we mentioned, but that doesn’t mean that it should be excluded from this list.
In fact, the beautiful nature surrounding the racecourse is a perfect way for horse racing fans to relax and spend some time watching horse races.
Situated along the tranquil Vaal River, Vaal Racecourse offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. This track showcases the beauty of the Highveld landscape, with its wide-open spaces and picturesque surroundings. These are some of the best horse racing tracks that you should visit if you travel to South Africa. The sport is booming at the moment, and we can expect new investments in horse racing. This means that in the future we might see a high-end racetrack capable of rivaling Churchill Downs.
