The winning combination of sizzling seafood, live jazz, family fun and elite racing presented a fitting conclusion to the Cape Summer Festival of Racing.
On the track, all eyes were on Wish List as she successfully campaigned for a Gr 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby victory, breaking the 26-year drought to become the first filly to win this historic race since 1999. Note To Self came in second, with Viva’s Liberty kept on for third, marginally ahead of Star Major.
Off the track, the focus was on fresh seafood with local vendors serving a range of rich flavours of the Cape, from traditional favourites to contemporary dishes. Some 3,000 guests flocked to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth for an afternoon of indulgence that also included a vibrant market and kids’ play area complete with a jumping castle, petting zoo and magical pony rides on Topdeck, the calm Welsh Stallion.
The festival atmosphere was supported by a live music line-up with performances by Jarrad Ricketts, Selwyn & Roy, Simply Strings and Al Petersen.
“As Lucky Fish marks nearly one year in business with our official anniversary on 19 March, we’re thrilled to cap the season at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth with the Seafood & Jazz Festival alongside the Lucky Fish Cape Derby,” shared Vishen Naidoo, Commercial Manager for Lucky Fish. “It’s a brilliant clash of worlds: the raw adrenaline of South Africa’s premier Gr 1 staying contest for three-year-olds, paired with sizzling seafood trucks drawing massive queues, smooth live jazz, and families soaking up the summer finale. The turnout has been electric and I couldn’t be happier with this collaboration.”
“Our mission at Lucky Fish is to supercharge horse racing in South Africa. We’re drawing in fresh crowds, blending experiences, and educating fans while pouring back into the ecosystem, by supporting the grooms, jockeys, trainers, and racetracks. Our aim is to keep horse racing alive, grow it boldly, and sustain it for generations to come.”
Added Stephen Marshall, Events & Marketing Executive at Race Coast, “I’m buzzing about Lucky Fish stepping up as our shiny new sponsor for the Lucky Fish Cape Derby. Their unapologetic, disrupt-the-norm vibe was the perfect fit for the Summer Festival of Racing season finale. Their electric blue-and-pink colours popped everywhere, outfits were on point, and crowds streamed in throughout the day. The day blended top-tier Gr 1 race action with sizzling food trucks, live jams, and family fun to widen horse racing’s appeal like never before.”
“Sponsorship like Lucky Fish’s is vital to the ongoing growth and sustainability of the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal racing industry, supporting the ecosystem from grooms to tracks. This Lucky Fish Cape Derby is the ultimate stepping stone, as winners gear up for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, when the top horses show their mettle against older horses in the field.”
For more information on the line-up of upcoming events, visit www.racecoast.co.za.
Image Credits:
- Race Winners: Chase Liebenberg
- Lifestyle Images: Jesse Armstrong