The Durban July, sometimes known as the Hollywoodbets Durban July, is a prestigious, Grade One horse racing event held each year at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse in Durban.
The prize purse for the event currently stands at R5 million.
The event, held every July, as the name suggests, has become one of South Africa’s biggest spectacles, expanding far beyond just horse racing. Now, the Hollywoodbets Durban July has positioned itself as a leading fashion and entertainment event, attracting visitors from around the world.
Each year, the theme for the event is announced in February or March, giving attendees plenty of opportunity to prepare.
The Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse hosts nine Grade One races during the South African Champions Season. Located near the Durban Golden Mile beachfront and the Royal Durban Golf Club, the course is a right-handed, pear-shaped track.
The racecourse is named, in part, after its title sponsor, Hollywoodbets, a South African sports betting operator.
The Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse is home to an uphill section between the 2200m and 1800m mark, followed by a gentle downward slope until the 1200m point. Another uphill section can be found between the 1000m and the straight, which is relatively level and 450m long.
In 2024, the 128th Durban July will be held on Saturday 6th July, and the theme for the event is “Ride the Wave”.
There are eighteen runners on the final field, including some of the country’s best middle-distance horses. The horses and their jockeys include:
The above list includes some notable names, including last year’s winner (Winchester Mansion) and runner-up (See It Again). Rachel Venniker, riding Without Question, will get her first opportunity to ride in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, after her intended horse was withdrawn at the last minute in 2023.
There are seven other supporting races taking place on July 6th, 2024 at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse, including:
The Hollywoodbets Durban July has been held every year since 1897, and the very first race, the Durban Turf Club Handicap (1600m), was won by a horse called Campanajo. The prize purse for the very first Durban July race was 500 sovereigns. Despite its current popularity, only 3,000 attendees were present at the inaugural event.
Fast forward to the present day and the Durban July is regularly attended by more than 50,000 visitors, who revel in the grandeur of the occasion.
The distance of the race has also increased since 1897, changing to 1670m in 1906, then to 1800m in 1913 and 2000m in 1915. It wasn’t until 1941 that the distance was changed again, this time to 2100m. In 1970m the race was set at 2200m, which is how it has remained since.
The most recent winners of the Durban July include:
Since the event’s inception, there have been several notable horses:
Given its extensive history, it’s hardly surprising that some fascinating bits of information have arisen from the event over the years. Did you know:
The Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience, as presented by the Durban Fashion Fair, sits alongside the racing event every year. The fashion extravaganza takes place both digitally and in print in the months leading up to July, but is also held as a “virtual experience” on the actual race day for DStv viewers.
Once the event theme is announced each year, design students throughout KwaZulu-Natal compete for the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award.