The broadcast of South Africa’s premier weight-for-age mile contest will usher in a new media rights deal to expand Sky International's worldwide racing network.

Sky International, a subsidiary company of Tabcorp, has signed a rights deal to broadcast racing from Kenilworth and Durbanville in South Africa. (Photo: Facebook/Cape Racing)

Starting on January 1, Kenilworth and Durbanville, two prominent South African racetracks in Cape Town, will have race meetings beamed to a global audience via Tabcorp’s international subsidiaries, Sky Racing World (USA) and Premier Gateway International (PGI), alongside current international partners.

The agreement between the Tabcorp subsidiary company and Cape Racing paves the way for almost 600 additional South African thoroughbred races from Kenilworth and Durbanville to be shown to a broader audience.

Sky International already holds the distribution rights for Greyville and Scottsville racetracks, ensuring almost 1350 South African races will broadcast annually around the globe with Kenilworth and Durbanville coming on board in 2025.

As part of the deal, top-tier racing from Cape Racing and Gold Circle will be broadcast globally across Sky’s extensive distribution network, including the 2025 Cape Met and Cape Derby. 

"This deal further solidifies Sky International’s long-standing relationship with South African racing and reaffirms our commitment to delivering the best racing content from around the world to our global partners,” a Tabcorp spokesman said.

“It also increases the visibility of South African racing, not only for Sky Racing viewers in Australia, but for the 60-plus countries into which we export racing.

“Additionally, this agreement shows Sky International’s commitment to supporting the prosperity of the South African racing industry."

Sky International will broadcast the prestigious King’s Plate as its first meeting from Kenilworth under the new rights agreement on January 4.

The King’s Plate is a Grade 1 event first run in 1861. Pocket Power, a legend of South African racing with multiple horse of the year honours, won the race four years in a row from 2006.

Cape Racing chairman Greg Bortz said the broadcast deal would allow South Africa to target a new audience.

“This collaboration will not only enhance the profile of our prestigious races but also foster greater interest and engagement both locally and internationally," he said.

 

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