Turffontein · Est. 1892
The home of Johannesburg racing.
South Africa's oldest active racecourse. Home of the Summer Cup, the SA Derby and more than a century of racing history.
The venue.
Where the country’s oldest racing story keeps being written.
Racing in Johannesburg is almost as old as the city itself — the first Johannesburg Handicap, the forerunner of today’s Summer Cup, was run on 17 June 1887. A new racecourse was established on the settler farm of Turffontein in 1892, with the grandstand foundations laid the following year. Six kilometres south of the Johannesburg CBD, Turffontein boasts two turf tracks with the Standside track rising 12m from the 1,600m to the 800m mark, making it the most testing circuit in South Africa. Accordingly, Turffontein is home to some of the biggest marquee events on the South African racing calendar — the South African Triple Crown and Triple Tiara series, and Johannesburg’s end-of-year party, the Betway Summer Cup, in November.
Heritage
A century and a half at the heart of the sport.
Our racing story runs parallel to Johannesburg's own. The City was born out of the 1886 gold rush and the first Johannesburg Handicap — the forerunner of today's Summer Cup — was run in 1887. By 1888 the Johannesburg Turf Club had found its permanent home on the settler farm of Turffontein; the racecourse was established in 1892 and the original grandstand's foundations laid in 1893. In July 2016 the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation recognised the venue's historical significance with a prestigious Blue Plaque — proudly on display at the Turf Road entrance.
Read the full Turffontein historyA race day at Turffontein.
Three ways to experience the course.
Close to the horses
Watch the field saddle, see the trainers and jockeys, and feel the anticipation build before every race.
In the heart of the action
A direct line of sight across the finish, with tiered seating, betting facilities and a full view of the parade ring.
Private suites and tables
Premium suites, in-table televisions and dedicated service for owners, partners and corporate guests.
Premium suites and rooms.
Private hospitality spaces for owners, members and guests.
Aquanaut
A Gatsby-inspired suite with premium fittings and dedicated service. Designed for intimate race days and private entertaining.
Inside Aquanaut →
Centenary
A glass-enclosed Art Deco room with capacity for up to 150 guests. Ideal for corporate race days and major occasions.
Inside Centenary →
Elevation
Panoramic elevated views across the Turffontein straight, with in-table televisions and premium hospitality throughout the card.
Inside Elevation →
140 years on the same ground
Read the full Turffontein history.
From the 1887 mining-camp meetings to the modern 4Racing era — the gold beneath the turf, the wartime camp years, Horse Chestnut's 1997 debut, the Summer Cup roll of honour, and the Oppenheimer family's 2021 rescue. The complete story of Johannesburg's oldest sporting venue.
Inside the history
Beyond the race day
A venue for every occasion.
In addition to being a premium racing venue, Turffontein is one of Johannesburg's most distinctive event venues. Conferences, gala dinners, brand activations, product launches and private functions all find a home at the course — with the grandstand, the paddock and the heritage architecture offering backdrops you won't find anywhere else in the city.
Enquire about venue hireUpcoming at Turffontein
Signature meetings on the Turffontein calendar.
SA Classic & SA Fillies Classic
The opening chapter of the classic season, run side-by-side over the Turffontein mile.
SA Derby & SA Oaks
The twin three-year-old classics that define the autumn programme.
Gold Cup
The staying test over the long trip, on classic Turffontein ground.
Summer Cup
The Highveld's flagship spring handicap — the defining race day of Johannesburg's racing year.
Plan your visit
Everything you need to know before arriving at Turffontein.
Your next race day
Come to Turffontein.
See what's on next, plan your day, or enquire about a private event at the home of Johannesburg racing.
See upcoming events