Ridgemont to sponsor R1,25-million Garden Province Stakes
Durban – Gold Circle on Thursday morning welcomed Ridgemont as the new sponsor of the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes run annually over 1600m at the Hollywoodbets Durban July race meeting on July 1.
“The Garden Province Stakes is a high-quality race with a proud heritage, and it is fitting that a stud farm with an equally proud history of breeding high-class thoroughbred racehorses over so many years, is now the headline sponsor,” said Gold Circle CEO Michel Nairac when announcing the sponsorship.
The prestigious Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes ranks amongst the most important weight-for-age races for fillies and mares in South Africa. The 2019 winner Celtic Sea carried the colours of the Beck family, who purchased Highlands Stud in 1985. Under their care and stewardship, Highlands Stud became synonymous with breeding quality thoroughbreds and was for many years the home of multiple champion sire Dynasty.
In 2017 Highlands Stud was purchased by Wayne Kieswetter and the Ridgemont era was born. Since the purchase of the farm, the Kieswetter family has endeavoured to assemble a broodmare band of the highest order. Resident stallions include the exciting Rafeef, the multiple Grade 1 winner and successful sire Canford Cliffs, and new acquisitions Malmoos, Real Gone Kid and New Predator, all of which boast five-star pedigrees and showed exceptional talent on the tracks.
“We are delighted and privileged to be sponsoring one of the most highly regarded Grade 1 races on the national racing calendar, and partnering with Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets in what is the pinnacle race day of Champions Season,” added Craig Kieswetter.
“The announcement of our proud association with the Garden Province Stakes, a contest that has been the stage of some of the most memorable elite-level fairer sex battles over decades, dovetails seamlessly with the recent launch of our new generation logo and branding. Ridgemont’s commitment to, and passion for thoroughbred horseracing, makes this a perfect fit. We look forward with great anticipation to Saturday, 1 July!”
Prize money for the 2023 renewal of the Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes has been increased to R1,25-million.
