Prestigious L’Ormarins King’s Plate Returns to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse in 2024

Cape Town’s social and sporting calendars are set for a grand celebration as the L’Ormarins King’s Plate (LKP), a pinnacle event boasting over 150 years of equestrian excellence, makes its glamorous return on January 6, 2024. Hosted at the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, recently refurbished to match the sophistication the event is known for, the festival invites enthusiasts to partake in a day where history, tradition, and modernity seamlessly blend.

Originating in 1861, the Grade 1 LKP stands as South Africa’s oldest continuous horse race, with a lineage that traces back to Queen Victoria’s reign. Now commemorating the monarchic shift, the race sheds its old name, L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, to honor King Charles III under the new title, L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

The stakes are high as premium thoroughbreds compete for the LKP champion’s badge of honor, along with a near R2 million prize pool, spotlighting the event as a centerpiece of the Cape Town racing season.

Equestrian fascination aside, the 2024 festival touts the second Okapi Ladies International race. This female-exclusive jockey event, with a R200,000 prize, parallels Britain’s Magnolia Cup and seeks to uphold the same crowd-pleasing enthusiasm it garnered at its inaugural run in 2023.

In the realm of style, Cartier shines as an eminent sponsor, hosting the Grade 1 Paddock Stakes and helming the Best Dressed competition—encompassing Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Man, and Best Hat categories. Poised to feature sophistication and fashion prowess, these sidelines offer an avenue for expression beyond the tracks, elevating the event into a celebration of finesse.

Support extends from partners like Drakenstein Stud Farm, Anthonij Rupert Wines, and others who bolster the event’s success. As Cape Racing's Donovan Everitt notes, this year heralds L’Ormarins’s 20th anniversary as a partner, cementing the festival's status and strength in partnership within Cape Town’s vibrant summer.

Encouraging active participation, the organizers have curated various fringe activities, including a photography and writing competition. These competitions are creatively designed to empower guests to portray the festive spirit through personal narratives and visual storytelling, further enriching the LKP experience.

Finally, when the dust settles on the racetrack, the season’s most anticipated afterparty rockets into action. Against a backdrop of the stunning Cape sky, a roster of first-rate DJs will transform the evening into an enthralling panorama of harmony and rhythm, marrying the day's pageantry with the allure of a night to remember.

Access to the Style Village will be available for R500, while the exclusive Stud Club tickets are set at R1,600, allowing for a range of experiences tailored to the attendees' preferences.

With the promise of top-tier entertainment, racing, and haute couture, the 2024 L’Ormarins King’s Plate charts a course to delight those in pursuit of unrivaled grandeur and quintessential Cape Town charm.