Having grossed over R240 million in its first three weeks in the United States and acclaimed as “the most hysterical and charming family comedy to be released this year,” the movie Racing Stripes has certainly earned its stripes and will have its South African premiere in Durban on March 17.

Filmed right here in KwaZulu-Natal at the Riverholme Farm in the Midlands and at Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg, the film about a young Zebra that sets his heart on becoming a racehorse has taken America by storm and has received rave reviews from coast to coast.

Earl Dittman of the Wireless Magazines wrote: “Like the timeless Babe, Racing Stripes will soon take its place as one of this generation’s most hilarious, smart and undeniably entertaining family classics.”

Gold Circle, thanks to Videovision Entertainment, has been granted the Premiere rights for the film which will be screened at Ster Kinekor, Gateway at Umhlanga on Thursday, March 17, 2005, with the R60 per ticket donation going to the KZN Horsecare Unit and Save The Children - KZN.

Dustin Hoffman and Whoopi Goldberg head a large team voicing the animal characters that make up the misfit troupe of barnyard residents at the farm of former champion thoroughbred trainer Nolan Walsh, played by Bruce Greenwood and his daughter Channing played by Hayden Panettiere.

Channing and Stripes set their sights on the winner’s enclosure at the legendary Kentucky Open and the film moves hilariously through towards this end.

This is a “must” film for the whole family and premiere tickets can be obtained by telephoning Mari van der Merwe on (031) 202 9231 or Janet McElligott on 082 654 1426 at Save The Children – KZN; Maureen Baitz on 082 578 2222 at the KZN Horsecare Unit; or Dale Brereton-Stiles on (031) 314 1639 and Pam Wright on (033) 345 3405 at Gold Circle Racing.

There will be a special showing of Racing Stripes at Ster Kinekor Scottsville on Wednesday, March 23 and double tickets can be won at the Racing Stripes Raceday at Scottsville Racecourse on March 20. Entrance to the racemeeting will be free and competition details will be in the racecard for that meeting. The draw for tickets will be done on course so you will have to be there to win.

The film will be released nationally on Thursday, March 24, by United International Pictures for Videovision Entertainment.