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Greg Bortz’s net worth, estimated in the tens of millions, tells a story of sharp instincts and fearless bets. He’s not just a number on a Forbes list. As CEO of Grand Parade Investments (GPI), Bortz turned a struggling firm into a gaming powerhouse, with deals like the R1.6 billion Sun International stake sale padding his fortune. Add his horse racing empire—think champions like Charles Dickens, raking in millions—and you’ve got a man who builds wealth like a chess grandmaster plays a board. This article traces his path, revealing how he spotted opportunities, scaled businesses, and stayed ahead of the curve.
Bortz grew up in Durban, not far from Greyville racecourse. The roar of the crowd wasn’t background noise—it was his siren call. By nine, he was sneaking bets, a 50-cent place accumulator sparking a lifelong obsession. Fast-forward to 2023, and he’s the majority owner of GPI, chair of Cape Racing, and a name whispered in awe at Kenilworth. How did he get here? Let’s break it down.
Early Hustle: Durban Roots, Global Ambition
Bortz wasn’t born with a trust fund. Durban in the 1970s was gritty, vibrant, and full of possibility. His bedroom window framed Greyville’s track, where he caught the racing bug early. At nine, he placed his first bet. By 17, a Pick Six win in high school cemented his love for the game. But he wasn’t just a punter. He saw patterns, calculated odds, and dreamed bigger than Durban’s Berea.
After earning an accounting degree, Bortz left South Africa in 1994, a 24-year-old chasing opportunity in pre-liberation chaos. London called first. Two years in finance honed his skills, but visa issues pushed him to the U.S. There, he thrived. He founded CREO Capital Partners, a Los Angeles private equity firm, and made millions restructuring distressed businesses. By 42, he retired—wealthy, restless, and ready for a new game.
In 2012, he returned to Cape Town. Retirement didn’t suit him. Reading and racing filled his days, but boredom crept in. By 2019, he was plotting a U.S. comeback, a new private equity fund, a house in Arizona. Then COVID hit. Plans stalled. South Africa’s racing industry, on its knees, became his next move.
Grand Parade Investments: The Big Bet
Grand Parade Investments wasn’t always a winner. Formed in 1997 as Sun International’s black empowerment partner, GPI listed on the JSE in 2008 with gaming and fast-food stakes. By 2022, it was stumbling—debt-heavy, with unprofitable ventures like Burger King South Africa dragging it down. Enter Bortz.
Through GMB Liquidity Corporation, his family investment vehicle, Bortz started buying GPI shares in 2022. By November, he held 35%, triggering a mandatory offer under South Africa’s Companies Act. He offered R3.33 per share, a price KPMG deemed fair. By April 2023, he owned 53.65%, valued at roughly R860 million based on GPI’s R1.6 billion market cap. Bortz wasn’t just an investor. He took the CEO seat, replacing Mohsin Tajbhai, and set out to reshape GPI.
His strategy was simple but brutal. Strip away the dead weight. GPI sold its Burger King license and unbundled its Spur stake, refocusing on gaming—GrandWest Casino and SunSlots, two of South Africa’s best assets. These generated strong cash flow, obscured by past missteps. Bortz saw the potential. In 2023, GPI reported R1.2 billion in revenue, a rebound from COVID’s hit. The 2019 Sun International stake sale for R1.6 billion had already boosted liquidity, and Bortz’s leadership promised more.
He kept GPI listed, with a 22% free float, signaling confidence in its future. His vision? Maximize shareholder returns through cash flow and explore synergies with horse racing. It worked. GPI’s share price stabilized, and Bortz’s stake grew in value, a cornerstone of his wealth.
Greg Bortz’s Net Worth and the Horse Racing Empire
Greg Bortz’s net worth isn’t just tied to boardrooms. Horse racing, his childhood passion, is a serious business. He’s not a casual owner. Bortz treats horses like investments—data-driven, strategic, and profitable. His stable includes stars like Pomp and Power, a 2022 Cape Derby winner, and Charles Dickens, a Gr1 champion with millions in purses.
In 2022, Bortz and Hollywoodbets acquired Kenilworth Racing for R330 million, saving it from collapse after Phumelela’s 2020 bankruptcy. As Cape Racing’s chairman, he pumped millions into Kenilworth and Durbanville racecourses. Leaking roofs? Fixed. Broken escalators? Gone. He added big screens, revamped hospitality, and raised stakes by 35%. The vibe shifted. Trainers raved. Owners returned.
Bortz’s racing investments go beyond ownership. He chairs Cape Racing and sits on Gold Circle’s board, which runs KwaZulu-Natal racing. He’s negotiating to buy Gold Circle, aiming for a “holy trinity” of control over South Africa’s racing hubs. His pinhooking incentives—buying yearlings cheap, selling high—drew new investors. A R100,000 bonus for juvenile wins sweetened the deal.
Charles Dickens alone highlights the payoff. His wins, like the 2023 Cape Guineas, netted R2 million-plus. Auction sales of top horses can hit R10 million. Bortz’s data-driven approach—studying bloodlines, trainers, tracks—minimizes risk. Racing diversifies his portfolio. If GPI stumbles, horses keep cash flowing.
GPI’s Turnaround: Cash Flow is King
Bortz’s takeover of GPI wasn’t a vanity project. He saw a diamond in the rough. GrandWest Casino, a GPI cornerstone, pulls in crowds with slots, tables, and entertainment. SunSlots, another asset, thrives on limited payout machines across South Africa. Together, they’re cash machines. In 2023, GrandWest alone contributed R800 million to GPI’s revenue. Bortz’s move to shed Burger King’s losses unlocked this potential.
He didn’t stop there. GPI’s debt, a R500 million albatross in 2020, was slashed by half through asset sales and cash flow. Bortz’s private equity playbook—buy low, fix fast, profit—came alive. He kept Sun International’s 25% stake in GPI intact, a nod to their long partnership. The result? GPI’s market cap held at R1.6 billion, and Bortz’s 53.65% share, worth over R850 million, became a wealth anchor.
COVID tested his resolve. Casinos closed. Revenue tanked. Bortz leaned on reserves and restructured deals, ensuring GPI survived. By 2024, profits were climbing. His mantra: Cash flow trumps headlines.
Racing’s Renaissance: Beyond the Track
Bortz’s horse racing isn’t just about trophies. It’s a calculated diversification. Kenilworth’s 2022 rescue was personal. He grew up idolizing horses like Sea Cottage. Watching Cape Racing die wasn’t an option. With Hollywoodbets’ Owen Heffer, he injected R130 million to clear debts and rebuild.
The changes were stark. Kenilworth’s grandstand got a R50 million upgrade—new arches, better views, a world-class winners’ enclosure. Durbanville added restaurants and a commercial precinct. Bortz’s vision extended off-track: hiking trails, music festivals, even residential developments. He’s turning racecourses into community hubs.
His horses deliver, too. Pomp and Power’s 2022 Derby win earned R1 million. Charles Dickens’s Gr1 victories added millions more. Bortz’s stable, managed with trainer Justin Snaith, uses data to pick winners. He studies pedigrees, race conditions, even jockey form. It’s not gambling—it’s investing.
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Conclusion: Greg Bortz’s Net Worth
Greg Bortz’s net worth, built on gaming and gallopers, reflects a life of bold moves. From GPI’s turnaround to Cape Racing’s revival, he proves wealth grows through focus and adaptability. His legacy? A blueprint for turning passion into profit.
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