AT a meeting of the Board of Directors of Horseracing South Africa (Pty) Ltd, trading as Racing South Africa, on Monday 26 November Mrs Susan Rowett was elected as Chairman of the Company. 

By agreement of the shareholders, the Breeders, Operators and Owners, the Chairmanship is rotated every two years and Mrs Rowett takes over from Mr Vidrik Thurling who Chaired Racing South Africa on behalf of the Operators, Phumelela and Gold Circle, since November 2010. Mr Thurling, a successful businessman and passionate supporter of the sport of horseracing, has also played a significant role in the administration of Gold Circle affairs and more recently in securing the future of Western Cape Racing via the merger of Kenilworth Racing (Pty) Ltd with the Thoroughbred Racing Trust. 

Susan Rowett

Mrs Rowett, Chairman of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association of South Africa, is also a prominent racehorse breeder and the (joint) owner of Varsfontein Stud in the Western Cape.  Susan holds a degree in Jurisprudence from Oxford University, a Masters in Management from the Kellogg Graduate School of Business in the USA and having served for many years as a director of a multi-national company, Susan brings a high level of business acumen to the Board. With her excellent knowledge of the bloodstock industry, Susan gives fresh impetus to Racing South Africa at a time when strategic partnerships with Government and other relevant organisations are essential to ensure the future growth of the sport.

Racing South Africa is a national, non-profit organization whose objectives include the internationalization of the sport of horseracing, the preservation of the equine health of the industry and the management of its strategic divisions Kenilworth Quarantine Station and the SA Equine Trade Council.

CEO, Peter Gibson, stated: “My sincere thanks to Vidrik for his leadership and tireless efforts on behalf of Racing South Africa. At the same time, I look forward to working with Susan to build on the solid foundation that is in place.”