The 126th edition of the Hollywoodbets Durban July celebrates its return to racing in front of packed stands and marquees at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday July 2, with massive ticket sales.
After two years hiatus of the iconic horserace, the recent lifting of pandemic regulations has set racing fans, fashion lovers and socialites free to return to the popular midwinter South African sporting occasion.
The celebrated event enters a new phase in its 126 year history, with an expected crowd of over 35,000 converging for the momentous occasion.
With an injection of R5 Million into the event, it is set to be the richest Grade One race on the continent, and it will be followed by racing fans around the globe when it gets under way at 4pm in what is forecast to be superb mid-winter Durban weather.
The field is loaded with former winners, with the popular 2021 champion Kommetdieding meeting double winner Do It Again and another July champion Belgarion, in a compelling 2, 200m contest.
Punters have turned to Safe Passage, Linebacker, Pomp And Power, Sparkling Water and Aragosta in recent weeks, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter of thoroughbred champions in Race 7.
Every punter has unique tools to help them tip the new champion. The annual tradition of planting beans for each runner named in the final field at the Gold Circle offices, has produced tips that align markedly with the punters’ predictions.
As competitive as the thrilling dice to the finish post at 4pm will be, the serious fashionistas will line up for the first round of judging in the four raceday fashion competitions at midday, hoping to win through to the finals and claim one of the many attractive prizes on offer.
In between the day’s races, the winners of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award, presented by Durban Fashion Fair, will be announced, following a showing on the new fashion stage in front of the main grandstand of the top ten designs from student designers, from colleges across the province.
With R100,000 at stake in bursary support from the Hollywood Foundation, there will be a nervous buzz backstage as the MC announces the names of the top three students, all eager to follow in the footsteps of the many luminary names that kick-started their careers by winning this competition.
With the lifting of crowd restrictions and the requirement to present vaccinations certificates, the organisers will be selling tickets on the day from Gate 9, Gate 15 and from the Boomtown hospitality venue.