Sadha Naidoo named chair of Race Coast boards
Sadha Naidoo has been appointed non-executive chairperson of both Race Coast Western Cape and Race Coast KwaZulu-Natal, placing one chair at the head of the two regional businesses operating South Africa’s leading coastal thoroughbred racing venues.
The move follows Race Coast’s decision to bring the composition of its Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal boards into line as the group continues to consolidate its racing operations.
The change puts governance of the businesses behind Kenilworth, Durbanville, Greyville and Scottsville under a more closely aligned board structure.
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Race Coast was launched in May 2025 following the combination of Gold Circle’s KwaZulu-Natal operations and Western Cape-based Cape Racing. Naidoo was previously a non-executive director of Gold Circle and chaired the business during its transition to the Race Coast structure.
The wider consolidation followed separate competition-approved acquisitions by companies in the Hollywood group. Hollywood Sportsbook Holdings’ acquisition of Kenilworth Racing, later trading as Cape Racing, received conditional approval in April 2023. Hollywood Racing Enterprises’ acquisition of Gold Circle was approved subject to conditions in July 2024, including merger-related employment protections.
The two regions remain within separate provincial gambling and racing regulatory systems. Racing and wagering are subject to national and provincial regulation, with the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board overseeing the sector in that province and the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority regulating gambling and liquor industries in KwaZulu-Natal.
Naidoo has also held public-sector leadership roles as chairperson of Tourism KZN and the Durban International Convention Centre. According to Race Coast, his private business interests include tourism, hospitality, property and skills development across KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape.
Basil Thomas, speaking on behalf of the Hollywood Group, said Naidoo’s previous role during the Gold Circle transition made him suited to lead both boards.
“Sadha Naidoo’s institutional knowledge is invaluable. He played an integral role in the transition from Gold Circle – and the related club structure – to Race Coast,” he said.
“At the time of Hollywood’s acquisition of Gold Circle, he was invited to remain on the Board of Race Coast KwaZulu-Natal. With the recent retirement of Greg Bortz, it makes absolute sense that Mr Naidoo assume the chairmanship of both Race Coast companies.”
The newly aligned boards will include Naidoo as non-executive chairperson, with Zandile Maseko as a non-executive member alongside Suren Rampersadh, Morgan Shandu, Dean Sawarjith and Kaamilah Finch.
Race Coast has also signalled further operational alignment across its four tracks. In a separate announcement on September 25, the company said it had contracted Total Performance Data to provide real-time tracking and sectional timing services at Kenilworth, Durbanville, Greyville and Scottsville, with the venues expected to become operational later in 2026.
