Turffontein Racecourse

Description

Turffontein Racecourse is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Turffontein, in the southern suburbs of Johannesburg. The facility was founded in 1887 by the Johannesburg Turf Club and has both an inner and outer grass track. As one of the oldest horse racing venues in South Africa, it is host to the South African Derby and November's Summer Cup. It has also hosted several festivals and music concerts.

Due to the climb from the 1 200 meter mark to the final turn, Turffontein is widely acknowledged as a true test of stamina for races contested around the bend. Turffontein is set to become a night racing venue, after Newmarket Racecourse in Johannesburg was sold to local businessmen in early 2007. Since then, Turffontein has undergone a major refurbishment, including the installation of floodlights, renewal of the existing track side facilities, and the opening of a sports bar. With easy access, plenty of parking, and good food, a day at the races is generally an enjoyable affair – as long as you don’t lose too much after hedging your bets.

Turffontein Inside Track: • Turf track • 2 500m oval • Shares a common back straight with the Standside Track. • All races run clockwise round the turn with a run-in of slightly less than 500m. • The track rises 10m from the 1 400m to the 500m marks. • Low-number draws favoured over 1 000m and 1 200m.

Turffontein Standside Track: • Turf track • 2 700m oval • Races up to 1 200m straight course. • Beyond 1 200m clockwise round turn with 800m run-in. • Track rises 12m from 1 600m to 800m marks, making it the most testing circuit in SA. • Low-number draws preferable over 1 400m and 1 600m, while over other distances draws are generally of little account.