Royal race day

DATE: 13 March 2019
RELEASED BY: Phumelela Gaming


It’s not often that the sport of kings finds a real-life, fairy-tale princess in the crowds – especially in Johannesburg. But that is exactly what racegoers will experience on 13 April at the Royal Race Day at Turffontein.
Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco has confirmed her attendance – promising that the Royal Race Day will be the social event of the year.
“This really is a magnificent coup for racing,” said Phumelela Racing Executive Clyde Basel.
“Surely there can be no better reason to don a top hat and head to Turffontein than the promise of meeting South Africa’s most beloved Princess.”
With a top hat and tails dress code, the Royal Race Day promises to be the most elegant affair on the racing calendar. Add to that the red and white colour palette chosen for the day, and free entrance for the public, it will undoubtedly be a picture-perfect, grand royal affair.
The Royal Race Day is an annual event held in honour of Princess Charlene at the Turffontein Racecourse in Johannesburg and as always it will feature a very strong charity component focusing on children.
As part of the festivities on the Royal Race Day, learners from Gugulesizwe Primary School and Lesabe Primary School from Benoni will be attending the race day together with learners from a number of schools from the Turffontein area.
The children will be hosted for the day and will be the main group to welcome Princess Charlene on her arrival.
Free entertainment on offer for all children at the race day include a demarcated area with jumping castles and other activities, a jungle gym in the piazza area, a farrier demonstrating live hot-shoeing, and a puppet or magic show.
“The Royal Race Day is very much a family day,” said Basel. “Children are at the heart of the Princess’ foundation and we therefore urge families to come and celebrate the day with us.
“The Cinderella horse drawn carriage as well as pony rides will make for unique photo opportunities.”
As far as the racing is concerned, the headline race on the day is the Grade 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Cub Stakes for fillies and mares over 1600m with total stakes of R1,000,000.
Two Maiden Plates, of which one is for fillies and mares only, with total stakes of R250,000 each and sponsored by Princess Charlene of Monaco, serve as supporting acts. These races carry huge prize money considering the runners are maidens, having never won a race, but it’s become customary in recognition of the Princess’s well-documented support for what is usually considered the underdog.

Very appreciative of the unconditional support from the family, but must warn of clichés such as "SA's most beloved Princesses " lest the entrenched African Royalty assume offence. A place for all in our industry

Sounds like a fun day out at Turffontein next month

Certainly will do no harm good stuff

Phumelela Press release

A grand total of 17 Cinderella-hopefuls threw their names into a hat in order to line up in the Grade 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes for fillies and mares over 1600m to be run on the Royal Raceday at Turffontein on 13 April.
They won’t, however, be eyeing a little glass slipper for a fit, but will be aiming to claim a piece of the R1 million stakes on offer.
Not that they’re a bunch of paupers. On the contrary, the 17 fillies and mares entered so far are the royalty of South African racing.
Bold statement you say? Well, the numbers back it up.
Between them, the 17 ladies have recorded no less than 73 wins, and earned more than R16-million in stakes.
Considering their combined 258 runs, their winning strike rate is a staggering 28%.
They will, however, not be the only royalty at Turffontein come 13 April.
Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco has confirmed her attendance.
The Royal Race Day is an annual event held in honour of Princess Charlene at the Turffontein Racecourse in Johannesburg and as always it will feature a very strong charity component focusing on children.

The contestants so far are, under number, name, and trainer:
3​Al Danza​​Geoff Woodruff
4​Camphoratus​​R A Hill/S R Hill
2​Cascapedia (IRE)​Mike de Kock
17​Cashel Palace​​Alec Laird
6​Celtic Sea​​Sean Tarry
9​Fiorella​​​Duncan Howells​
12​Fresnaye​​Joey Ramsden
16​Ghaalla​​​Mike de Kock
5​I Like It​​​Stephen Moffatt
15​Nafaayes (AUS)​​Mike de Kock
1​Oh Susanna (AUS)​Justin Snaith
14​Redberry Lane​​Sean Tarry
13​Rouge Allure​​Stephen Moffatt
7​Running Brave​​Paul Matchett
10​Secret Potion​​Geoff Woodruff
11​Sylvan On Fire​​Candice Dawson
8​Tamarina​​Alec Laird

Nice to see Oh Susanna being entered

Saint Tropez wrote: Nice to see Oh Susanna being entered

16/10 antepost favourite

Should be a great days racing ......
Plus a Fairytale ending for the winner
Well done to the Princess

DATE: 3 April 2019
RELEASED BY: Phumelela Gaming


It doesn’t always have to be a knight in shining armour who rescues a princess. Sometimes the princess can be the one doing the rescuing.
When it comes to our very own Princess Charlene of Monaco, that is exactly how the story has unfolded so far, and on 13 April, the next chapter in the fairy-tale will be written.
Hosting the Royal Race Day at Turffontein, HSH Charlene, Princess of Monaco, will once again ensure that Gugulesizwe Primary School and Lesabe Primary School in Benoni will be the main beneficiaries, receiving a donation of R50,000 each.
The Princess launched her Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation at the Gugulesizwe Primary School grounds in 2012. She has also donated her childhood swimming medals to the school to inspire young learners who have an interest in pursuing a swimming career.
On her most recent visit to South Africa in February this year, Princess Charlene, who hails from Benoni, also visited the school, accompanied by her children, the royal four-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and hereditary Prince Jacques.
“I have taken a personal interest in the school and I will support them and do my best to make sure that the learners at the school are exposed to great sports, health and safety, so that they can build a great community around them,” she said.
A number of learners from these two schools will be hosted at Turffontein on the Royal Race Day where they will play a significant role in welcoming Princess Charlene on her arrival.
The Royal Race Day is an annual event held in honour of Princess Charlene at the Turffontein Racecourse in Johannesburg and as always it will feature a very strong charity component focusing on children.
“I look forward to attending this year’s Royal Race Day at the historic Turffontein Racecourse and, of course, continuing the support of a number of worthy causes,” she said.
“To have the horse-racing community rally behind this is quite extraordinary.
“Hopefully the day will also contribute to restoring some of the glamour back into the sport of racing.”
Learners from Park Senior Primary School, Turffontein Primary, Die Mossie Primary School, Highveld Primary and Rosettenville Primary in the Turffontein-area will also be hosted on the day, where the focus will be on family entertainment and, of course, the sport of kings, with the running of the Grade 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes for fillies and mares over 1600m with total stakes of R1,000,000, as well as two Maiden Plates, of which one is for fillies and mares only, with total stakes of R250,000 each and sponsored by Princess Charlene of Monaco.