Betway Summer Cup 2024: Final field announced for Africa’s richest race

As a precursor to the Betway Summer Cup, the draw ceremony for Africa’s Richest Race was conducted in style on Wednesday 20 November.

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4Racing, in collaboration with Betway, revealed the final field of horses that will compete for the R6 million Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup on Saturday, 30 November.

The 20 runners boast previous winners in Royal Victory (2023) and Puerto Manzano (2022).

Hosted by Clyde Basel, the evening got under way with addresses from 4Racing’s CEO Fundi Sithebe and Betway’s Head of Customer Experience Jonathan Blumberg, before the focus shifted to the all-important Barrier Draw.

Blumberg commented: “At Betway, we are dedicated to delivering an exceptional racing experience in collaboration with 4Racing. Horse racing remains a key focus area for our growth, and we are immensely proud to be part of the Betway Summer Cup, Gauteng’s most anticipated racing event, which has now become the richest Group race in Africa with a R6m stake. The Final Field and Barrier Draw event tonight is great start not only to the festivities, but also as an opportunity for trainers to finalise their strategic preparations.”

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In keeping with the theme of the Betway Summer Cup being the ‘People’s Race’ Betway underscored their commitment to uplifting the horse racing community by awarding every groom of each horse in the main race with R20 000 in recognition of their hard work and dedication.

World-renowned jockey

The Betway Summer Cup 2024 will feature a special international highlight as world-renowned jockey Oisin Murphy takes to the track at Turffontein Racecourse.

“Murphy, a three-time British Champion Jockey known for his exceptional skill and numerous Group 1 victories, will add an exhilarating global element to Africa’s richest horse race. Fans and racing enthusiasts are in for a treat as Murphy competes against South Africa’s finest – and taking Africa’s Richest Race to a global audience,” said Fundi Sithebe, 4Racing CEO.

The formalities were rounded off with by a panel review of the final field hosted by Darryl Maree and Clyde Basel with James Crawford along with Betway Ambassador, Sean Tarry.

First to draw was My Soul Mate, who pulled gate 11.

Five-time Summer Cup winning trainer Sean Tarry comes into the field with a strong hand of three runners with Future Pearl and Hotarubi drawing 4 and 18, respectively, while Litigation jumps from pole position.  

‘Out of town’ raiders See It Again (Michael Roberts), the current favourite, drew 6 while last year’s defending champion Royal Victory (Nathan Kotzen) pulled 15. Cape Eagle (Andre Nel) will be running from barrier 17 and Madison Valley (Frank Robinson) jumps from gate number 19.

The Crawford charge Frances Ethel who is to be partnered by international superstar Oisin Murphy races from stall 7, while Durban July winner Winchester Mansion is set to jump from barrier 13.

2022 winner Puerto Manzano races from 14 with stable-mate Barbaresco pulling 12.

Rachel Venniker is set to partner Zeus who is drawn widest of all in barrier 20.

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Here are the 20 final runners, and barriers, as drawn for Africa’s Richest Race, the R6 million Betway Summer Cup:

Who is your money on?

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