Scottsville Racecourse Review
- ● Address: 45 New England Road, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, KwaZulu-Natal
- ● Phone: +27 33 345 3405
- ● Opening hours: Dependent on racedays. The tote is open to the general public as soon as the racecourse opens.
Take A Scenic Drive Down to Scottsville
Located an easy 50 minutes’ drive from Durban and the King Shaka International Airport, the Scottsville racecourse offers phenomenal horse racing action in Pietermaritzburg, the capital of the KwaZulu-Natal province.
With Tsogo Sun’s Golden Horse Casino property also found on-site, this top tourist destination welcomes both horse racing and casino enthusiasts to its gates.
A Track Record Of Fantastic Races
The right-handed oval track has a turf surface with a circumference of 2300 metres and a 550-metre run-in. There’s also a 1200-metre straight with a moveable rail for an interchangeable run-in length.
Back in 1962, the circuit played host to Gilbey’s Stakes, the first-ever sponsored race in South African history. Since then, it has upheld a great reputation, with a number of spectacular horseracing events organised here. The most prominent of these is the annual Tsogo Sun Sprint Raceday, which is held in May and consists of four Grade 1, 1200-metre sprint races.
The main race for the day, the Tsogo Sun Sprint, attracts close to 20,000 people. This is both the oldest and the richest horse racing sprint in South Africa. It boasts a handsome purse of 3.7 million rand, with the first instance of the race featuring the revered Gilbey’s Stakes.
Fabulous Facilities To Match
The facilities and amenities available at the Scottsville racecourse cater to families as much as to punters. Equipped with infield picnic sites, a dedicated family area, plus an under 18s area, the course is the ideal destination for a great day out.
The course enjoys a popular beer garden, an efficient tote, and a choice of restaurants and bars serving you excellent food and drinks while you catch up on the most recent game results. Races are run at intervals of 35 minutes, giving you plenty of time to check out safe online casinos in SA.
Alongside the racecourse is the private White Horse venue, which can comfortably accommodate up to 280 guests. This elegant space, complete with a dance floor, is an extremely popular choice for corporate functions, wedding receptions, and other events.
The Conference Centre that adjoins the Scottsville racecourse and the Golden Horse complex offers an upmarket facility for up to 400 delegates. It is also designed to successfully host a multitude of events requiring state-of-the-art equipment and quality catering.
Horse Racing And Casino Action In Scottsville
The racecourse is conveniently located on Tsogo Sun’s Golden Horse Casino property, which means you can effortlessly access the casino from the grandstand. This SA casino offers live betting as well as real money gambling options at any of the 22 tables and 450 slot machines available.
If you’re passing through Pietermaritzburg, check out the elegant and comfortable settings of the Scottsville racecourse, and enjoy a day of top-class horse racing action.