4RACING ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT OUT OF CYCLE STAKES INCREASE

Johannesburg, South Africa - 4Racing today announced a substantial increase in stakes money across its Eastern Cape and Highveld regions, as part of a renewed investment in the growth and sustainability of horse racing in South Africa.

This significant out-of-cycle increase, to be applied over the next 5 months, totals R22 million, with the Eastern Cape stakes pot increase taking effect from 1 October 2026, and the Highveld programme boosted from 1 November 2026. The increases will be effective through to February 2027. Details for March, April and beyond will be confirmed in due course.

 

The 4Racing Owner Incentive will be discontinued. This will take effect in the Eastern Cape from 1 October and on the Highveld from 1 November. All other incentives remain unchanged.
“This is a massive investment in the future of racing,” said Patrick Duff, CEO at 4Racing. “Owners are a key stakeholder in the industry, and we want them to see tangible reasons to buy, race and stay in racing. This is about giving owners more chances to earn, coupled with a better overall experience in racing.”

Grooms
In addition to 4Racing’s current contribution to the Grooms of our industry, the portion of the stakes allocated to grooms will increase from 1% to 2%, effective from 1 October 2026.

What's Changing
From October 2026, 4Racing’s stakes structure will focus on targeting races that matter most to owners starting off and building a string, namely maiden and juvenile races, while also providing a spread across the open divisions and top ups to respective feature races where applicable.

Representative examples of the increase include:

Highveld

Category Current New
Maiden (In Season) R120,000 R170,000
Juvenile (In Season) R150,000 R200,000
Maiden Juvenile (In Season) R130,000 R185,000
Minimum (Off Season) R80,000 R100,000
Minimum (In-Season) R80,000 R120,000

Eastern Cape*

Category Current New
Maiden R84,000 R100,000
Juvenile R94,000 R106,000
Maiden Juvenile R88,000 R100,000
Minimum R78,000 R86,000

The full revised stakes schedule for each race category will be released in due course.

*Bear in mind that Eastern Cape stakes are year round and Highveld has in Season and out of Season stakes levels. 
Effective Dates:

• Eastern Cape: stakes increase effective 1 October 2026
• Highveld: stakes increase effective 1 November 2026
• Duration: both increases run through the balance of the season to February 2027, with full-season stakes schedules to be confirmed prior.

Does it really cost that much more training in JHB vs PE??? Big difference in prize money, especially for Juvenile & Maiden races. They cost the same at the sales......I understand MR66 races etc but maidens????

PE probably has more consistent field sizes and without which i think 4Racing would fold in 3 months.....