Cape Splendour on show at Cape Town Met

The best of Cape Town was on show at the 2024 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met on Saturday, 27 January as thousands of spectators gathered to enjoy riveting horse racing, celebrity spotting, cutting-edge fashion and entertainment. 

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The iconic annual event, now in its 162nd year, is a much-anticipated fixture omen the country’s calendar, drawing both sports fans and social butterflies to the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth venue.

The afternoon featured 11 races in a jam-packed race card, including the 2,000m Grade 1 WSB Cape Town Met with its R2 million stake, which saw Double Superlative darting through under visiting British jockey, Daniel Muscutt, to score a 33/1 upset. 

Two other Grade 1 races were run: The City of Cape Town Majorca Stakes (WFA) over 1 600m which was won by Princess Calla (her 12th win in a stellar 27 start career), and the World Pool Cape Flying Championship (WFA) over 1 000m, which was won by Dyce.

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“We were delighted to welcome guests to Cape Town’s premiere fashion, entertainment and sporting event at the newly renovated Hollywoodbets Kenilworth for the 2024 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met,” said Cape Racing’s Chief Operating Officer Donovan Everitt.

“It was a fitting penultimate event for the Cape Racing Summer Series and it was great to see so many people enjoying the racing action under beautiful blue skies, as well as the top-class fashion and entertainment on show today.” 

The Cape Town Met is known as much for its fashion as the horse racing, and this year top SA designer Gavin Rajah convened eight designers to showcase their interpretation of the event theme “Cape Splendour”. 

“The Met has led the pack in terms of what fashion is. It has always been about refined craftsmanship,” said Rajah.

“It also has a historical precedent for supporting fashion in the country and is an event that has developed fashion and young fashion designers.”

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Part of the 2024 Cape Town Met tradition is the social event’s best-dressed man and woman competition, with cash prizes and luxury gifts up for grabs for the most spectacular ensemble.The judging panel included Rajah and fellow designers Stephen van Eeden and Craig Port.

Award-winning actor, presenter and comedian Siv Ngesi was one of the celebrities enjoying the day’s offerings.

“I love the Met. I love the vibe, the people, the horses, and the entertainment. It’s world class and it’s a pleasure to be here,” said Ngesi.

Warren Tanous, CEO of World Sports Betting, expressed his delight at the company’s involvement with the event. 

“We were proud to be the title sponsors of this iconic Cape Town event, which has become the finest horse racing and fashion event in the country. The World Sports Betting Cape Town Met is a highlight in Cape Town’s sporting and entertainment calendar, and today certainly showed why ‘The Met’ has garnered such a reputation both locally and internationally.”