Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

The Vodacom Durban July

Africa's Greatest Horseracing Event

On the first Saturday of each July, Greyville Racecourse situated in site of Durban's beachfront hotels, reaffirms its status as the trendiest course in the country when the running of the R1,5 million Vodacom Durban July takes place. This racemeeting attracts both local and international luminaries with tens of thousands vying for an invitation to one of the most talked-about social gatherings in South Africa or perhaps just for a view of the thoroughbreds from the packed grandstands.

Every year the running of the country's premier race for thoroughbreds is bursting at the seams with celebrities, socialites and bejewelled followers of fashion. It's a unique occasion over which everyone works themselves into a state of frenzied anticipation for an event which lasts just over two minutes. The symptoms of "Vodacom Durban July Fever" reach epidemic proportions, as it sweeps across the nation year after year and very few people fail to fall victim in some small way.

This aside, the Vodacom Durban July is a race where legends are made, and this, from a humble beginning which in 1897 attracted just seven mediocre animals. It was not long however before businesses started closing at noon to enable the entire settlement to attend the races, and as the raceday continued to grow in popularity, it began to draw crowds from all corners of South Africa who wanted to share in the excitement generated by the great event.

The race was sponsored for the first time in 1963 with the massive stake at the time of R30 000. Under this sponsorship the race quickly grew into a sporting event which stopped the nation - a race in which victory meant instant inclusion in racing's folklore for owner, trainer, jockey, breeder and horse.

As the prize money for the race continued to increase, so did the rivalry in racing circles. Although this fierce competition added an exciting new dimension to the event it also, unfortunately, brought about the tragic shooting of the favourite for the race, Sea Cottage, a few weeks prior to the running of the race in 1966.

The dramatic incident created much anguish amongst the public at large. Fortunately though, all hope was quickly restored, with "July Fever" reaching a crescendo when the gutsy Syd Laird-trained colt courageously managed to finish fourth in that year. Few will forget how he went on to claim the race in 1967, and the hearts of the nation along with it, when bringing about the most memorable finish ever in this ultimate test for the thoroughbred, by deadheating for the honours with Jollify.

The amphitheatrical nature of the Greyville venue adds to the mystique of this unique day. This is an occasion full of good cheer and stories of what was and what might have been, about bookies and tote attendants who hand out those tickets that promise the world but so often hold only dreams.

In 2003 the race was run for the second time under the spectacular sponsorship of Vodacom who have added their own special cachet to the occasion. The crowd at Greyville Racecourse were thrilled when another South African champion was confirmed in the form of Dynasty, a three-year-old colt who could hold his own anywhere on the world stage.

Remember Ipi Tombe who won the race in 2002? "Where is the girl?" as her name translates. Well she has gone on to be a world-beater on the stage of Dubai's World Cup racemeeting and in the USA.

Is the Vodacom Durban July to be the race that has added to its already considerable appeal, the promise of international success?

Whichever way you look at it the Vodacom Durban July is a unique event that gets the spine a-tingling, the heart apounding and the adrenaline flowing just a little quicker than usual. Cliched, but true, there is simply no other event in Africa quite like the Vodacom Durban July.

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