Scottsville Racecourse: Track, Big Days and Tips
Scottsville Racecourse is the home of racing in Pietermaritzburg, under an hour from Durban. So this guide covers how the track runs, the days to plan around and where to bet.
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How Scottsville Racecourse Races
In short, Scottsville is a tight, right handed oval with a long run home. So sprinters and horses with a turn of foot do well here.
The round course is about 2300m, so the turns come up quickly. Because of that, handy horses that can balance round a bend are suited.
The home straight follows a steep bank and gives a 550m run-in. As a result, a closer has time to get involved.
Meanwhile, sprints go straight, and a movable rail changes the length of the run-in. Therefore, check the rail position before a big sprint.
We have no reliable draw figures for Scottsville yet. However, once we have tracked enough meetings, we will add them here.
Track details come from SA-Venues and Racing Odds.
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Big Days at Scottsville Racecourse 2026/27
Full calendar →First, the next meeting on the Race Coast fixture list.
Then a Wednesday meeting, with another on 23 December.
Finally, the big sprint day, built round the Golden Horse Sprint over 1200m.
Where to Bet on Scottsville Racecourse
All racing sites →Offers were checked 5 Nov 2026, so they can change. 18+ only.
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Follow the channelThe Golden Horse Sprint
The Golden Horse Sprint is the best known race at Scottsville. For example, it is run over 1200m and follows the old Gilbey’s Stakes, first run in 1962, and the Smirnoff Plate, which began a year later.
Also, the racecourse is on New England Road, about 2.5km from the centre of Pietermaritzburg. In addition, it has hosted the Oaks and the Fillies’ Guineas, so you can see every big date in the South African horse racing calendar.
Top photo: Pietermaritzburg City Hall by Johan Pretorius, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Scottsville Racecourse FAQ
Where is Scottsville Racecourse?
Scottsville Racecourse is on New England Road in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. In addition, it is about 2.5km from the city centre and under an hour from Durban.
Is Scottsville left or right handed?
Overall, Scottsville is right handed. It is an oval of about 2300m, with a 550m run-in.
How long is the Scottsville straight?
First, the straight course is 1200m. Then a movable rail changes the length of the run-in, so it is worth checking before a sprint.
What is the biggest race at Scottsville?
The Golden Horse Sprint, a 1200m sprint run in May. For instance, it follows the Gilbey’s Stakes, which was first run in 1962.
When is the next meeting at Scottsville?
The next meeting on the Race Coast fixture list is Sunday 22 November 2026, and then Wednesday meetings on 9 and 23 December.