PHUMELELA is proud to announce that Kimberley Racecourse has been renamed Flamingo Park following the recent multi-million refurbishment of the racing surface.

The refurbishment has transformed Kimberley into an international-standard racecourse. The new racing surface is dust free and has been widely praised by owners, trainers and jockeys.

“We were aiming at virtually dustless horseracing and it’s worked,” said trainer Peter Miller, the champion trainer in the area last season.

Kimberley’s ruling champion jockey, Cape Town-based Gerrit Schlechter, said: “It’s excellent. The course is running very true and you can win from any draw.”

The racing surface is expected to perform even better as the track maintenance team becomes more familiar with the dynamics of the new track.

The refurbishment of the venue includes the construction of 140 stables to which the three trainers with horses currently stabled at Bloemfontein Racecourse will relocate. The stables are expected to be ready for occupation by the end of December.

Once the three trainers are in residence there will be sufficient horses stabled on course and at surrounding private training establishments to sustain up 36 race meetings at the racecourse annually.

The official opening of Flamingo Park is being planned for early in 2006.