Malaysian racing hits SA on Sunday

Danie Toerien

The best kept secret in South African horseracing was confirmed today with 4Racing finally admitting that racing from Malaysia will be added to the broadcasting bouquet as well as the TAB betting spread starting this Sunday, 1 September.

While most South African racing enthusiasts will probably find it an almighty challenge to name just a pair of trainers or jockeys from Malaysia, the good news is that a familiar voice should give us some insight into this wonderful yet unexplored world of racing in Malaysia. But more about that later.

With three tracks – Selangor, Penang, and Perak – offering around eight race meetings per month, Malaysia will more than just fill the hole left by Singapore racing, which is being terminated completely in October this year.

The Singapore Turf Club will halt its operations after the final meeting on 5 October, bringing down the curtain on the sport’s 180-year history in the Lion City, with the land scheduled to be handed back to the government in 2027.

The only reason for the closure of the Kranji-racetrack, is because of the scarcity of land in the city-state of Singapore. Just a fraction of the size of the Kruger National Park, the country of Singapore has to accommodate a population in excess of 5-million people, so the inevitable decision had to be taken around a year ago.

Enter racing from Malaysia.

With 20 registered trainers and 18 licensed jockeys and apprentices, hardly a weekend goes by without at least one race meeting in the country neighbouring Singapore – and on most weekends there are a double-header on the Saturday and Sunday respectively.

But back to the South African connection.

Local lad Devon Pretorius was recently appointed as a race caller in Malaysia, so when bettors hear that distinct Cape Town voice when watching racing from Kuala Lumpur, they will feel right at home.

Son of Neil Pretorius, raceday presenter at Fairview in the Eastern Cape, Devon grew up around horses, visiting the training centre and commonly going to different racecourses in Cape Town.

His real passion for horse racing came in July 2008 in Durban when two horses dead heated in Africa’s biggest race, the Durban July, and the commentary of that race inspired him to take an interest as a commentator.

Not long after finishing high school, he called his first race in 2022 at Fairview.

After a few months calling in Gqeberha, he was appointed as commentator for Cape Racing, calling races at Kenilworth and Durbanville.

Besides being a race commentator, Devon is also a capable race day presenter providing tips as well as in-depth analysis of races, so local bettors here in South Africa will have the benefit of a true ‘Saffer’ when tuning in to Malaysian racing.

As with all international race meetings on which TAB offers betting, the complete race card, previews, betting, as well as other relevant information will be available at www.tab4racing.com.

This Sunday sees a ten-race meeting kick off at Selangor at 07:15, so get up early and catch the worm.