Kenilworth Racecourse: Tracks, Big Days and Tips
Kenilworth Racecourse is the home of Cape racing. So here is how the three tracks race, the big days coming up and where to bet on them.
HollywoodbetsR25 free bet + 50 free spinsKenilworth’s sponsor · 18+ · T&Cs applyClaimRacing is on this Saturday, so our Kenilworth tips and racecard cover all ten races. Also, Cape Town’s country track has its own Durbanville Racecourse guide.
How Kenilworth Racecourse Races
Because it has three separate courses, Kenilworth is unusual in South Africa. So knowing which one is in use matters before you back a horse.
It is about 2800m round, with a run-in of about 600m. Also, it is one of the fairest tracks in the country, so it is used mainly in summer.
It is about 2700m round, with a run-in of about 450m. As a result, handy, forward racing horses do better here.
It runs across the infield and climbs for the first 200m. Then it rises again near the finish, so fast starters are often caught.
Low draws are generally favoured in sprints. However, the draw matters little around the turn, and outside draws gain a slight edge when the going is heavy.
Track details come from Sporting Post and Wikipedia.
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Big Days at Kenilworth Racecourse 2026/27
Full calendar →Ten races, and the Cape Mile and the Western Cape Fillies Championship are the pick of the card.
Then comes a Sunday feature to open the Cape summer.
Next up is Grade 1 racing for three year old fillies.
Then it is Grade 1 racing for three year olds.
After that comes a big day of racing at Kenilworth.
Above all, this is the Grade 1 highlight of the Cape summer.
Lastly, the Swiss Derby closes out the Cape Summer Festival of Racing.
Where to Bet on Kenilworth Racecourse
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Get Kenilworth tips on WhatsApp
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Follow the channelThe Cape Town Met
Overall, the Cape Town Met is the biggest race at Kenilworth. Also, it is a Grade 1 over 2000m on turf, first run in 1883 as the Metropolitan Mile, and it carries a R5 million purse.
For example, recent winners were Rainbow Bridge in 2021, Kommetdieding in 2022, Jet Dark in 2023, Double Superlative in 2024 and Eight On Eighteen in 2025. Meanwhile, the next Met is on Saturday 30 January 2027. For all the big dates, see the South African horse racing calendar.
Kenilworth Racecourse FAQ
Where is Kenilworth Racecourse?
Kenilworth Racecourse is in Kenilworth, so it sits in a southern suburb of Cape Town. Also, it opened in 1881 and is the home of Cape racing.
Is Kenilworth left or right handed?
Kenilworth is left handed. Also, it has three separate courses: a new track, an old track and a 1200m straight.
How big is the Kenilworth track?
The new track is about 2800m round and the old track about 2700m. Then the 1200m straight cuts across the infield.
What is the biggest race at Kenilworth?
The Cape Town Met, a Grade 1 over 2000m. Also, it was first run in 1883 and the next one is on Saturday 30 January 2027.
Does Kenilworth have a draw bias?
Low draws are generally favoured in sprints, though the draw matters little around the turn on the new track. When the going is heavy, outside draws gain a slight edge.