Port Elizabeth’s only horse racecourse is managed and maintained by Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Limited. Racing takes place every Friday afternoon and sometimes on the occasional weekday. Take a look at all of today’s racing tips.
Situated in Greenbushes, -it celebrated its 40th Birthday on 18 June 2017-, the racecourse boasts a turf track as well as a polytrack which allows racing to take place in most weather conditions. A polytrack racecourse is made out of silica sand and fibres made of recycled carpet, spandex and rubber. The entire mixture is then covered with wax. It’s the most popular man-made track surface and there are 16 existing Polytrack surfaces worldwide, including 5 in the UK and Ireland, 3 in France, 5 in the USA and Canada, 1 in Spain, 1 in Turkey and Kranji racetrack in Singapore. The surface has been tested in a number of different climatic conditions and can be finessed to suit specific local needs. Perhaps most persuasive is the fact that the first Polytrack racecourse which was installed at Lingfield Park in November 2001 has not required any refurbishment work to date despite intensive use.
Fairview has a circumference of about 1800m. All races have at least one bend, with races from 1400 to 1800m starting on the bend. The near bend, leading into the 450m home straight, has a slight camber to assist horses racing around it. The track came into operation in October 2013, and evidence of the effect of the draw will evolve with time.
Horseracing is a hugely popular sport in South Africa, with regular racing taking place around the country. The sport in South Africa enjoys a long and rich history that can be traced back to 1797, with the first recorded race club meeting taking place in 1802.
Prior to 1850, irregular thoroughbred horseracing took place in Port Elizabeth, but it was officially approved in 1857, when the Port Elizabeth Turf Club was formed. In order to establish set rules for racing, in 1882 the Jockey Club of South Africa was also founded in Port Elizabeth.
The old Fairview Racecourse, previously the Port Elizabeth Turf Club, was situated where the Greenacres Shopping Centre is today.
Apart from the new stabling complex, Fairview boasts numerous training tracks and facilities and is also the Head Office for Phumelela Gaming & Leisure Ltd in the Eastern Cape
Fairview boasts an extensive range of versatile function venues that are available for function hire.
Address: Draaifontein Rd, Greenbushes 6390, PE Box 7479 Newmarket, Port Elizabeth 6055
Contact No: 041 372 1859