18 Dec FMM at The King’s Plate

Once again, FMM is a sponsor for the L’Ormarins King’s Plate (formerly Queen’s Plate) taking place on Saturday 6 January 2024 at Cape Town’s Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse. The event that was first run in honour of Queen Victoria after she gifted a silver plate and 500 sovereigns to the South African Turf Club.  Held in April 1861, the inaugural contest was staged as The Queen’s Plate and the event has maintained its royal ties meticulously ever since. In keeping with the event’s traditional qualities of grace, elegance and tradition, L’Ormarins is proud to continue that legacy under the reign of King Charles III.  

With Hollywoodbets backing, the famous racecourse has recently undergone a no-cost-spared revamp. Leading Milnerton trainer Dean Kannemeyer said, “While we have already witnessed so much change and improvement in the region at various levels, seeing what has happened to our flagship racecourse is quite breathtaking. I have been fortunate to race at various racecourses around the world, and Hollywoodbets Kenilworth can now hold its own amongst the best internationally”. He added that the vision and investment by Greg Bortz and Hollywoodbets, including the upgrading of training facilities, was unparalleled in his lifetime of racing in the Cape.

Justin Vermaak, Racing & Bloodstock Executive for Cape Racing, said that the renovations and changes were essential to deliver on the promise of a world-class race day experience for the Summer feature season, which includes the Cape’s seven-meeting ‘Summer Festival of Champions’ that includes the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, South Africa’s premier mile-long Weight For Age horse race.  

As usual, FMM will be displaying some cars from its world class collection, all with light blue colouring in keeping with the event’s colour code. Placed in the Style Village area will be a 1953 BMW Isetta, while at the entry point on the in-field will be a 1928 Ford Model A, a 1934 Mercedes Benz Cabriolet B and a 1955 Chevrolet BelAir.

Tickets for access to the Style Lounge Village and the Stud Club are available on Computicket: https://tickets.computicket.com/event/l_ormarins_king_s_plate_2024/7238061/7238083/125805