With South Africa hosting the World Cup, the year 2010 has necessitated breaks in tradition and innovative thinking by administrators of many South African sporting codes; horseracing being no different. This year’s Champions Season sees the R1.2million Canon Gold Cup brought forward a month, and for this year only, will be run on Saturday, June 26.

With the Vodacom Durban July already having moved to Saturday, July 31, from its traditional spot on the first Saturday in July, Gold Circle had to rethink some aspects of the Champions Season programme. The Canon Gold Cup, the most prestigious staying race on the national calendar, traditionally falls on the first Saturday in August, making it the first major racemeeting of the new racing season. But it made no sense to have two 12-race programmes staged within a week of each other.

As a result, it was decided to move the Canon Gold Cup forward in order to maximise the entertainment factor of horseracing with so many international guests visiting Durban and providing top class racing as a viable entertainment option.

The Canon Gold Cup will retain its charity angle and will remain a welcome opportunity for charities to raise much needed funds. Through the provision of a marquee infrastructure, some 18 fundraising organizations will again benefit this year.