Race Coast rolls out the welcome mat for raiders this Cape Summer Season

Race Coast is once again encouraging owners and trainers from across South Africa to bring their horses to the Western Cape this summer, with an enhanced package of raider incentives available throughout the 2026/27 Cape Summer Season.

Running from 1 November 2026 to 28 February 2027, the programme combines attractive win bonuses, free seasonal stabling and transport rebates, adding further value to an already lucrative summer of racing in the Cape.

Incentives doubled

Owners and trainers of visiting horses who win at regular Cape Summer Season meetings will each receive a R20 000 win bonus, doubling the R10 000 incentive offered last season.

The rewards increase further on designated Cape Summer Festival of Racing meetings, where winning owners and trainers will each receive a R50 000 bonus.

The owner’s R50 000 Festival bonus will not apply to races carrying a gross stake of R600 000 or more.

Visiting horses will also benefit from free seasonal stable rental, while Race Coast will assist qualifying raiders with transport costs.

A 50% transport rebate will be available to horses completing two runs in regular races during the qualifying period.

Horses competing in Listed and Grade 3 races will qualify for a 75% rebate, while those competing in Grade 1 and Grade 2 races will qualify for a 100% transport rebate, subject to a maximum transport reimbursement of R15 000.

Attractive proposition

Western Cape Racing Operations Manager Kurt Felix said the incentives were designed to make travelling to the Cape an increasingly attractive proposition for connections around the country.

“The Cape Summer Season has always attracted some of the best horses in South Africa, and we want to continue making it as attractive and accessible as possible for owners and trainers to be part of it. With increased stakes, enhanced win bonuses, free stabling and meaningful assistance towards transport costs, there is real value in bringing a horse to the Western Cape this summer.”

“Raiders add enormously to the quality and competitiveness of our racing and we want visiting connections to know that they are genuinely welcome. Whether you have a horse targeting one of our major Festival races or one that is suited to the broader summer programme, there are opportunities throughout the season.”

Prestigious fixtures

The Cape Summer Season runs through one of the most anticipated periods on the South African racing calendar, with racing at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and Hollywoodbets Durbanville and a programme that builds towards some of the country’s most prestigious summer fixtures.

2026/27 CAPE SUMMER SEASON RAIDER INCENTIVES

1 November 2026 – 28 February 2027

• R20 000 win bonus to the owner at regular Cape Summer Season meetings 
• R20 000 win bonus to the trainer at regular Cape Summer Season meetings 
• R50 000 win bonus to the owner at Cape Summer Festival meetings* 
• R50 000 win bonus to the trainer at Cape Summer Festival meetings 
• Free seasonal stable rental for raiding horses 
• 50% transport rebate for horses completing two qualifying runs in regular races 
• 75% transport rebate for horses competing in Listed and Grade 3 races 
• 100% transport rebate for horses competing in Grade 1 and Grade 2 races 
• Transport rebates capped at R15 000 

*The R50 000 owner’s bonus is not payable in races carrying a gross stake of R600 000 or more.

With increased stakes and enhanced incentives on offer, there has never been a better time to race in the Western Cape this summer.