Gold Circle in KwaZulu-Natal and 4Racing in the rest of the country have reached an “interim agreement” for KZN racing to be aired on 4Racing’s Racing 240. Picture: Michel Bega
The 2021 Gauteng Summer Cup in three weeks’ time will be the first South African feature horse race to return to its pre-Covid stake, following a sponsorship agreement with World Sports Betting.
Total prize money will be R2 million – double the 2020 purse, which was also boosted by an interim WSB sponsorship.
The Grade 1 event, the Highveld’s premier race and one of the country’s “Big Three”, will be run at Turffontein on Saturday 27 November.
Ryno du Plessis, chief marketing officer for the sponsors, said: “World Sports Betting is proud to once again have our name attached to the Highveld’s biggest race.
“It complements our racing sponsorships very well as we are weeks away from our flagship Western Cape race, the World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas, and we also have the Vaal extravaganza, the World Sports Betting Grand Heritage, coming up.
“WSB has always been, and will always be, committed to the sport and we applaud the Phumelela team on their recent efforts. We are proud play our part in growing racing once again.
“We thank all of our loyal supporters, and we look forward to a great day’s racing.”
Five other feature races will be run on the day: the Dingaans for three-year-olds and the Ipi Tombe Challenge for fillies and mares, both Grade 2 races over 1600m; the Merchants and the Magnolia Handicap for fillies and mares, both Grade 3 events over 1160m, and the Listed Racing Association Handicap over 3200m.
The race will be formally known as World Sports Betting presents the Gauteng Summer Cup and will be covered live on SABC television.
The sponsors have a few other plans for the day. “WSB account holders can look forward to great promotions, as always, and we will be working closely with the Phumelela team to make the day a huge success.
“Follow us on social media and, if you haven’t yet, sign up today at wsb.co.za to stay up to date with all promotions and event news,” added Du Plessis.
The final field for the Summer Cup will be announced on Monday 22 November.
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