Festive Fair brings together racing, culture, and Cape Town heritage at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth
The Kaapse Klopse Voorsmakie was a highlight.
Image: Supplied.
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth was alive with vibrant energy on Saturday, 13 December, as the "Festive Fair" featuring the prestigious Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas transformed the venue into a bustling hub of festive joy and community spirit. Guests enjoyed a full day of thrilling horse racing, artisan stalls, seasonal flavours, and captivating live performances, all under the glowing summer sun.
Families and friends were treated to an unforgettable experience akin to a city festival. The atmosphere was electric, blending the excitement of horse racing with an expansive festive market, complete with locally sourced artisan creations.
The day reached new heights when the Kaapse Klopse Voorsmakie took centre stage, embellishing the venue with a vibrant explosion of music and dance rooted in Cape Town’s rich cultural heritage. More than 8,000 performers from 16 Kaapse Klopse troupes paraded along the track, showcasing their dazzling costumes and harmonious melodies reminiscent of the annual Cape Town Minstrel Carnival. This lively display served as a preview for the much-anticipated Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade set for 5 January 2026.
“The Voorsmakie is a relatively new innovation that allows the Troupes to come out and to offer a teaser show of their colours and their music for the season,” said Muneeb Gambeno, Director of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA). “Belonging to the Kaapse Klopse has become a sport. Although it’s competitive, these Troupes are active community clubs, helping to keep the youth off the streets by empowering and educating them, as well as fostering harmony and togetherness in our communities," he added.
Devin Heffer, Brand and Communications Manager for Hollywoodbets, spoke highly of the event’s dual showcase: “The combination of the ‘Festive Fair’ and the Klopse Voorsmakie showcases our commitment to vibrant, inclusive experiences that build momentum into the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met.”
The excitement didn’t stop at the festivities; horse racing enthusiasts witnessed thrilling performances on the track. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, where the impressive three-year-old colt Jan van Goyen surged to victory by a commanding 2.75 lengths in the 1600m feature race. Earlier, the former Horse of the Year, Dave the King, capitalised on the track’s quick conditions to win the Grade 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes against an elite field.
The ‘Festive Fair’ is just the beginning of a dazzling series of events.
Image: Supplied.
The day’s big wins were a testament to the father-and-son training duo of Mike and Mathew de Kock, who, along with jockey Callan Murray, have solidified Jan van Goyen and Dave the King as frontrunners for the upcoming L’Ormarins King’s Plate on 10 January 2026. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a Dave the King and Jan van Goyen match race in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate on 10 January,” said Stephen Marshall, Events & Marketing Executive at Race Coast.
A series of events are lined up including:
- L’Ormarins King’s Plate on 10 January 2026
- World Sports Betting Cape Town Met on 31 January 2026
- Seafood & Jazz Festival on 28 February 2026