A Queen's Plate, a Day of Horse Races at Cape Town's Kenilworth Racecourse

South Africa's best racehorses take centre stage in December on the occasion of the 145th running of the Queen's Plate

Cape Town's Kenilworth Racecourse will be transformed into a place where picnics, fine wines, umbrellas and some of South Africa's best racehorses take centre stage in December on the occasion of the 145th running of the Queen's Plate.

The  Queen's Plate, sponsored by L'Ormarins Private Cellar in Franschhoek, is one of South Africa's premier horse races over 1 600m and a weight-for-age contest in line with the world's most prestigious Grade 1 events.

The historic horse race was first held in 1861 in honour of Queen Victoria. When she died, the race became the King's Plate up until the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne in 1952.

Tradition prescribes that the Queen's Plate winner, apart from taking home a sum of R375 000, carries no penalty into the prestigious J&B Met horse race which is run in January.

The race - 145 years old this year -  is open to anyone who wishes to experience an entertaining day at the races. For the occasion, a grassy picnic area along the track has been set aside, similar to the famous Epsom Downs race course in the United Kingdom.

Over 100 umbrellas and wine barrels will provide racegoers with a space in which to set up their picnics.

Everyone is invited to bring picnic baskets, blankets, wine, friends and family to enjoy a good few hours relaxing, soaking up the ambiance, and watching the magnificent horses battling for victory.  

Vintage car fanatics will find themselves in heaven, as an impressive classic car collection of over 40 cars dating between 1910 and 1935 will be on display throughout the day.
 
Over the decades, some of South African true racing superstars have been winners and dual winners of the Queen's Plate, including Sea Cottage in the '60s, Sledgehammer and Politician in the '70s, Wolf Power in the '80s, Jet Master at the turn of the 21st century and Free My Heart in the new millennium.

The L'Ormarins Queen's Plate is taking place at Kenilworth racecourse on December 30 from 11am. Entrance to the track is free of charge.