BETWAY SWALLOW STAKES (Listed)
Following her victory in the Listed BETWAY Swallow Stakes over 1200m at Vaal Racecourse, ELEGANTRIX has had her official merit rating raised from 104 to 106. The Handicappers identified MALIBU, who finished fifth, as the most appropriate line horse for assessing this race, leaving her rating unchanged at 92.
L’ORMARINS KING’S PLATE (WFA) – Grade 1
THE REAL PRINCE has had his rating increased from 126 to 128 following his victory in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The Handicappers elected to use SAIL THE SEAS as the line horse, who remains unchanged on 127.
In terms of Chapter 5 of the Constitution of The National Horseracing Authority the Nominations Committee, consisting of Messrs Gregory Bortz (Chairman), Mark Currie, Gayasuddin Ahmed, Bradley Ralph and Anthony Rivalland, has re-appointed Dr Ashley Parker, as a NHA member in terms of Clause 16.1.1 of the Constitution, to fill the vacant position on the National Board.
HOLLYWOODBETS KENILWORTH RACECOURSE
The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) is pleased to confirm the composition of the key race-day officials who will officiate at the L’Ormarins King’s Plate race meeting, to be held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday, 10 January 2026.
An independent panel constituted in terms of Clauses 20.3 and 21.3 of the NHA Constitution and consisting of Messrs K Miedema, J Vermaak and C Gordon was convened on 7 January 2026 to consider a Merit Rating Appeal lodged by Trainer Mr André Nel against CUTIE PATOOTIE’s published adjusted merit rating of 84 following her win on 24 December 2025 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, OPEN MAIDEN (F & M), Race 3.
BETWAY LEBELO SPRINT (Grade 3)
TAXI TO THE MOON has had his rating increased from 110 to 113 following his victory in the Grade 3 Betway Lebelo Sprint over 1000m at the Turffontein Standside track on Saturday. The Handicappers unanimously agreed to use the third-place finisher, PISTOL PETE, as the key horse to assess the race, leaving his rating unchanged at 119.
MIKE DE KOCK IPI TOMBE CHALLENGE (Grade 2)
Following her victory in the Grade 2 Mike de Kock Ipi Tombe Challenge for fillies and mares over 1600m at the Turffontein Standside track on Tuesday, RODEO DRIVE has had her merit rating increased from 107 to 113.
Hollywoodbets CAPE GUINEAS (Grade 1)
JAN VAN GOYEN’S official merit rating remains unchanged at 118 following his commanding victory in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The Handicappers noted that JAN VAN GOYEN, who entered the race at least eight merit rating points superior to any other runner, did not need to improve on his pre-race figure to secure the win under level weight conditions. As a result, he was used as the line horse to assess the race, and his rating stays at 118.
On 22 April 2025, the National Horseracing Authority (NHA) issued a press release confirming that Mr RJ Bloomberg had issued summons against the organisation, as well as its National Board of Directors, for inter alia, claims of alleged defamation, and that the NHA intended seeking the dismissal thereof accompanied by an appropriate punitive cost order.
WORLD SPORTS BETTING CAPE FILLIES GUINEAS (Grade 1)
QUICKSTEPGAL has earned a revised merit rating of 115, rising from 109, after her impressive victory in the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
