Who we are
WE ARE A TEAM IN SERVICE OF HORSERACING
committed to reenergising and reinvigorating the horse racing industry in South Africa.
Horse racing is one of the oldest and most popular sports in the world, dating back to 4500BC. Today, it continues to attract millions of viewers every year. At 4Racing, we believe that passion, clarity of purpose and transparency are key to evolving the sport to its full potential in South Africa.
Be radically transparent
This not only applies to how we will run our business, but to how we engage with all industry stakeholders.
Embrace the power of partnerships
We understand that there is profound power in partnerships, and that 4Racing can only succeed if it develops.
Profit through purpose
While 4Racing is a business that needs to be successful to ensure the success and welfare of all players in the industry.
Drive for transformation
At 4Racing, transformation isn’t seen as a government mandated scorecard to which we must adhere.
Be radically transparent
This not only applies to how we run our business, but to how we engage with all industry stakeholders. Our philosophy is to collaborate openly with our stakeholders and actively look for opportunities to work closely in the design and implementation of new projects and strategies.
Embrace the power of partnerships
We understand that there is profound power in partnerships, and that 4Racing can only succeed if it develops powerful partnerships with a range of stakeholders. These relationships are vital in our bid to build the world’s most loved racing experience. Since its inception 4Racing has demonstrated its commitment by working closely with owners, trainers, bookmakers, government, regulators, and other critical stakeholders for the benefit of the horseracing industry.
Profit through purpose
While 4Racing is a business that needs to be successful to ensure the success and welfare of all players in the industry, we will strive to be a purpose-driven organisation in achieving our long-term objectives. This will entail support in improving the working conditions of grooms, work riders and all 4Racing employees, as well as enhancing the race experience for punters – whether in person on race days – or at the tote.
Drive for transformation
At 4Racing, transformation isn’t seen as a government mandated scorecard to which we must adhere. Rather, we see it as a critical step in developing a quality racing product that can be appreciated and enjoyed by all spheres of society in South Africa. The power of diversity cannot be derived from simply hitting arbitrary targets. The true benefits only arise when each of us can truly empathise equally with all those we work with and all those who enter in and participate in the horse racing industry.
key differentiators
What sets us apart is our commitment
To ensuring a resurgence in the love for the sport of Horse Racing. Digital transformation is critical to living our core purpose of delivering the world’s most loved racing experience.
Digital transformation
Digital transformation is critical to living our core purpose of delivering the world’s most loved racing experience.
Industry transformation
4Racing will set up a broad based black economic empowerment trust, the beneficiaries of which will be predominantly black SA grooms and stable hands.
4Racing TV
We have created a new host broadcast service to manage all live productions.
Operations
4Racing’s strategy around fixtures and stakes for the 2022 calendar year has seen 240 fixtures proposed at 4Racing venues.
Digital transformation
Digital transformation is critical to living our core purpose of delivering the world’s most loved racing experience. The 4Racing team constantly refines the current digital capabilities that underpin all stakeholder experiences, including direct to customer (punters, sports fanatics and lifestyle seekers), business-to-business segments (bookmakers, agencies, affiliates, broadcasters etc.) and all other key industry stakeholders (owners, trainers, grooms, regulators, fellow operators etc.). Our app on www.tab4racing.com has considerably enhanced the online betting experience and we are constantly looking at new products and initiatives to improve the online betting product for punters.
Put quite simply…we want to radically improve these experiences for the benefit of horse racing…4Racing.
Industry transformation
4Racing has set up a broad based black economic empowerment trust, which will see a 26% shareholding of the company apportioned between a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Trust (BBOS), the beneficiaries of which will be Grooms and Stable Hands, and an Employee Share Ownership Programme (ESOP) for 4Racing employees.
The beneficiaries of the Grooms Trust will be predominantly black South African grooms and stable hands. In addition, an employee share incentive scheme will be established primarily to support 4Racing’s South African employees.
An independent Trust Administrator was appointed to handle the establishment and administration of the Grooms and Employees’ Trust. A total of 16% of the company’s shares will be issued to the Grooms and Stable Hands’ Trust (BBOS) and 10% to 4Racing Employees (ESOP).
4Racing has also authorised the renovation of the existing grooms’ accommodation in 4Racing jurisdiction, which started at Turffontein Racecourse, and has also implemented a number of initiatives to improve the living conditions and welfare of grooms.
4Racing has partnered with the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) on a range of Grooms benefits, for which 4Racing and the ROA have committed considerable funding for elements such as the landmark provision of funeral cover and medical benefits to improve the welfare of Grooms and Stable Hands.
The company is also creating partnerships to develop traditional racing. Phase one is to build effective leadership within the community of traditional racing, provide support and skills development opportunities and build integrity in traditional racing.
Phase two is to develop partnerships with key stakeholders to creating economic opportunities in all aspects of the value chain, including the sport, agricultural aspects, tourism aspects and awareness of the sport.
4Racing TV
We have created a host broadcast service to manage all live productions and our Racing 240 channel on DStv’s channel provides a world-class dedicated horseracing channel for all local and international racing.
Our host broadcast service provides for further interoperability and interchangeability of the equipment and technologies used when we need to gear up for our major events.
We have commissioned established and new magazine shows to bring the sport, the data, the diversity and great personalities involved in racing to the fore and to engage new audiences.
Shows such as
We understand that sport is no longer just consumed on the couch via traditional broadcast distribution, but also across social platforms and OTT offerings. In response to this trend, we have invested in short-form social media friendly content and 4Racing TV web, mobile and SmartTV applications for our customers to enjoy a dedicated and curated racing television experience.
Operations
4Racing’s strategy around fixtures and stakes is to develop a seasonal approach, whereby the minor races in each region will carry an enhanced stakes level in-season as compared to out-of-season.
4Racing runs horseracing operations at Turffontein, the Vaal Racecourse and Fairview Racecourse in Gqeberha.
The new racing season dovetails well with the KZN winter season that runs from 1 May to 31 July. The plan is to encourage the best horses in each racing region to follow the seasonal roadshow nationally as far as possible.
The racing calendar and stakes allocation follows consultation with stakeholders about the declining horse populations nationally, and to better align the number of fixtures with the current horse populations in each region.
Meet the team
Our 4racing executives
Fundi Sithebe
Chief Executive Officer
Colin Gordon
Chief Operating Officer
Lunde Bleni
Executive for Stakeholder Labour Relations and Transformation
Potlako Mophiring
Chief Financial Officer
