David Thiselton

It is 34 years since a KZN-trained horse crossed the line first in the July and Gladatorian would be a fitting  horse to break KZN’s drought because trainer Stuart Ferrie was the long time assistant to Dennis Drier, who trained the clear cut 1992 winner Spanish Galliard.

Stuart was one of a number of Summerveld trainers who spoke about their yards’ chances on Hollywoodbets Durban July day.

The Ricky Maingard-trained Space Walk was the last KZN horse to have won the big race, but he inherited the race 32 years ago in 1994 after Surfing Home was demoted from 1st place to 5th place for the interference he caused to Pas de Quoi.

There are five KZN-trained horses in this year’s renewal.

Gladatorian is the highest rated among them, while Peter Muscutt has two runners, Isivivane and I Salute You, Gareth van Zyl has King Pelles and Frank Robinson has Mocha Blend.

Gladatorian finished a decent seventh last year carrying joint-topweight of 60kg.

This time he has second topweight of 61,5kg under the new conditions of the race, but has a much kinder draw.

Stuart said, “I’m happy with the draw of 8, better than 16 last year. If he can be halfway down the field or a little behind halfway we will be happy.”

Gladatorian is known for his terrific turn of foot and finishing speed and has had a fine preparation into this year’s R10 million renewal.

Muzi Yeni rides.

Yeni has never won the July before, but has had a second, three thirds, two fourths and two fifths.

Stuart runs Town Crier in the first race over 1600m on the poly. He is four points higher for a win over course and distance last time. He was drawn in pole for the win and is drawn two now with Serino Moodley staying aboard.

Stuart said, “He’s got a nice chance.”

He runs yard favourite Capsaicin in the second race over 1600m on the poly. Stuart said this horse only knew too speeds on the training tracks, very slow and very fast. Unfortunately, he can’t be given relaxed workouts at a good pace because he just wants to take off. Whilst this is frustrating from a training perspective he compensates for it by trying his hardest in every race. From draw ten he is likely to take the lead. Stuart said Capsaicin also had “a nice chance.”

The Candice Bass-trained Viva’s Liberte (Vercingetorix) has been the most backed horse in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and not surprisingly considering how well he has been looking at Summerveld. Terry Fripp confirmed his well-being.

Fripp was asked to name the yard’s best runner on the day and he said it was Viva’s Liberte. He was confident the national champion jockey elect Craig Zackey would be able to settle him from draw nine.

Viva’s Liberte is at 6/1 together with Regulation, while Wish List and Note To Self remain the joint favourites at 11/2.

Louis Goosen has three runners on the day and said, “In The Amusnet Golden Slipper (over 1400m) we have Ferrari Flair, who ran third last time out in the Listed Amusnet Devon Air Stakes over this course and distance. She is drawn nicely again and Serino is back up on her and I definitely think she’s got an each-way chance.”

He continued, “In the Gr 2 Omoda Golden Horseshoe we have a very, very good horse, Erik Dubois. He’s a giant and I’m not quite sure I have done enough with him, but I think he has a big career ahead of him and I think he is a definite runner and at nice long odds. He is a nice each-way bet because he’s working exceptionally well, although one of the reasons for his long odds is his wide draw.”

He concluded, “In race 12 we have Captain’s Pride, it’s very difficult because we are drawn at Clairwood but are racing at Greyville, but she’s well and she will be running on strongly.”

Garth Puller runs Imperial Power in the 2nd race over 1600m on the poly, albeit from draw 11 out of 12, and said, “He enjoys the poly and has good form. Hlengwa rides and I am expecting him to kick on strongly in the finish. It’s very competitive, but I think he could get into the quartet.”

Royal Sword is drawn eight in the same race and Garth said, “He’s also not drawn too well and he’s a horse who likes to gallop a bit big, but I am expecting a nice run from him. I always thought the mile might be stretching him, but Richard Fourie got off him last time and said don’t be scared to even go 2000m. He’s a big galloper, so I’m hoping for a nice run.”

Garth runs Mohave Prince (Captain Of All) in the Listed Premier Gateway International Handicap over 1600m and said, “He has won five out of 12 and four out of his last five starts and he is only a three-year-old. I have skipped the big races, because they would have penalised him too much. He’s won his last two over a mile, but I do think a mile is on the sharp side for him. He will prefer 1800m to 2000m. But he is in fine form and  will give a good account of himself.”

He runs Sign Of Fate (Master Of My Fate) in the last over 1200m and said, “It might be a bit on the sharp side, but she did win her last start over this trip. She’s doing very well at home and has a good chance.”

Tony Rivalland runs Magma Magic in the first race on the poly over 1600m, although he has draw eleven out of 12. He goes for a hattrick and Tony said, “His form has been very good. He has actually won three out of his last four and ran a good place in between. He’s doing exceptionally well, but all of his form is on the grass. If it was on the grass I would be confident. On the poly I’m not so sure.”

Craig Eudey spoke on behalf of the Mike Miller yard and said, “Winter Games is very, very well ahead of the Listed Premier Gateway International Handicap and is probably our best runner on the day.”

“In the Gr 2 Omoda Golden Horseshoe we have Riff Raff Boy (Chimichuri Run), who is very well, and Steamy Windows (Master Of My Fate), who is also very well and is a very nice horse but he just has the draw to contend with.”

“We have Warrior Royale in the 11th and she is very well too and we seem to have got her problem of going into the pens right at the moment.”

RACE 1

10 SOMMERSTERN   3 PLACE OF PRACTICE   8 SONG TO THE MOON   11 MAGMA MAGIC

Preview: Tough handicap. SOMMERSTERN (10) made a winning KZN debut in good fashion. He has a tricky draw and makes his poly debut which is a concern. PLACE OF PRACTICE (3) was a recent maiden winner but enjoyed the step up in trip and the poly track. SONG TO THE MOON (8) has consistent Cape form over further but is never far back and if taking to the poly he will be competitive. MAGMA MAGIC (11) has come well of late winning his last two and is unbeaten under Tristan Godden. If he takes to the poly he will be a factor. (Andrew Harrison: 10-3-8-11).

RACE 2

11 IMPERIAL POWER   3 PLEASE BE TRUE   8 ROYAL SWORD   12 SUN DANCE KID

Preview: IMPERIAL POWER (11) is back on his favourite surface. He has consistent form and should feature in a wide open race. PLEASE BE TRUE (3) has some useful Cape form in good company. His last two starts were in the soft so the poly should suit. ROYAL SWORD (8) is a poly specialist and started favourite at his last three. SUN DANCE KID (12) has the widest draw but has excellent poly form and a 1.5kg allowance from the saddle. (Andrew Harrison: 11-3-8-12).

RACE 3

10 LA PULGA   12 OTTO LUYKEN   3 MAGIC VERSE   5 IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA

Preview: LA PULGA (10) showed up well in his local debut from a wide draw. He boasts smart Cape form. OTTO LUYKEN (12) is a past winner of this race. He showed his best form last time out. MAGIC VERSE (3) has made steady recent improvement and should be cherry-ripe. IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA (5) is holding form well and was narrowly beaten last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 10-12-3-5).

RACE 4

8 SHOOT THE RAPIDS  1 CURIOUS GIRL   10 AHEAD OF THE FACTS   12 VIHAAN’S BOMB

Preview: CURIOUS GIRL (1) goes this trip for the first time but stays well has the best of the draw and a light weight. AHEAD OF THE FACTS (10) has shown up well in two warm-ups on this course. He should be right there. SHOOT THE RAPIDS (8) stays well and is in mustard form. He should be involved in the finish. VIHAAN’S BOMB (13) won well to much weaker last time out but he stays well and also has a light weight. (Andrew Harrison: 8-1-10-12).

RACE 5

7 ALICE B TOKLAS   3 ROYAL TIARA   2 TUDOR ROSE   10 OCEAN MISTRESS

Preview: ALICE B TOKLAS (7) won well first up over course and distance. She has a decent draw and can follow up. ROYAL TIARA (3) was second best behind Alice B Toklas when last they met but is likely to have come on from that run. TUDOR ROSE (2) took on males when shedding her maiden on debut. The blinkers go one from a handy draw. OCEAN MISTRESS (10) shows promise and will enjoy the step up in trip. (Andrew Harrison: 7-3-2-10).

RACE 6

1 VIBE CHECK   10 KAZENOYONI   11 ST HARRY   7 RED SPICE

Preview: VIBE CHECK (1) has the best of the draw and is a strong front runner. He rates the one to eat. KAZENOYONI (10) was second best behind Vibe Check when last they met but expect a change of tactics coming from off the pace. PRAYERSANDPROMISES (12) was an easy winner when stepped up in trip. RED SPICE (7) may just have needed his last run. Up in trip but has smart Cape form. ST HARRY (11) returns from a break but shows promise and should put in a big effort. (Andrew Harrison: 1-10-11-7).

RACE 7

13 MOCHA BLEND   17 KING PELLES   4 STAR MAJOR   7 WISH LIST

  Preview: MOCHA BLEND (13) showed her class when winning the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup. She was getting weight from most but won with authority. She has had a faultless preparation and should put in a big run. KING PELLES (17) has a tricky draw to overcome but stays well and was at his peak this time last year. STAR MAJOR (4) is the best three-year-old in the country and comes off two cracking wins in the Guineas and the Daily News. He tends to come from a long way off the pace and will need some luck in running in an 18-horse field. WISH LIST (7) is at the top of the three-year-old fillies and is a class act. She won her last start from a seemingly hopeless position. (Andrew Harrison: 13-17-4-7).

RACE 8

10 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM   6 MON PETIT CHERIE   7 QUICKSTEPGAL   8 KEUKENHOF

Preview: DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (10) has a tricky draw to contend with as she tries for back-to-back Garden Province wins. She ran a cracked over a distance too short last outing and should go close again. MON PETIT CHERIE (6) just failed to catch QUICKSTEPGAL (7) when jumping from a wide gate. She has a better draw here and can turn the tables although it should be tight. KEUKENHOF (8) has been close-up to star filly Wish List at her last two and a win would not be out of order. (Andrew Harrison: 10-6-7-8).

RACE 9

9 BUFFALO STORM CODY   8 SPEED MAN   1 KAALVOET   6 JERUSALEMA RAIN

Preview: BUFFALO STORM CODY (9) has a big weight and was narrowly beaten by JERUSALEMA RAIN (6) last time out.  He meets his rival on 4kg better terms and should turn the tables. The blinkers are back on. SPEEDMAN (8) has won four of his six starts and has a handy galloping weight. He has a fair draw and looks more than capable. KAALVOET (1) was a touch unlucky last run in the Gr2 Golden Horse, however, he got a hefty five-point jump in the handicap. (Andrew Harrison: 9-8-1-6).

RACE 10

5 GREEN GATEWAY   2 MOHAVE PRINCE   7 IMPOSING   14 JP’S PALACE

Preview: Wide open. GREEN GATEWAY (5) steps up to a mile but did finish strongly to win last time out with first time blinkers. MOHAVE PRINCE (2) has come good recently and his last win was over course and distance. He has a favourable draw. IMPOSING (7) was touched off by July runner Zeitz last time out. He has won over course and distance and has a fair draw. JP’S PALACE (14) has the worst of the draw but is never far back. With some luck in runner he will be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 5-2-7-14).

RACE 11

1 ANCHORAGE   3 BUTTERCUP BABY   6 ONE SMART COOKIE   11 MISS WORLD

Preview: ANCHORAGE (1) has improved in blinkers. If she takes to the poly from the best of the draw she will be a strong contender. BUTTERCUP BABY (3) took on much stronger from a tough draw last time out. Her last two wins were on the poly. ONE SMART COOKIE (6) is seldom far behind and should put in another honest run. MISS WORLD (11) has drawn wide but is seldom out of the money and is in good form. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-6-11).

RACE 12

12 CAPTAIN’S PRIDE   2 SCARLET STARLET   4 WHAT A STAR   9 THOUGHT CONTROL

Preview: CAPTAIN’S PRIDE (12) has a wide draw to contend with but has useful recent form and has done well on the poly. SCARLET STARLET (2) may just have needed her last run after making a winning debut. From a good draw she can feature. WHAT A STAR (4) is a poly specialist over course and distance and has a favourabe draw. THOUGHT CONTROL (9) has been knocking at the door and has shown up well in her last two over course and distance. (Andrew Harrison: 12-2-4-9).

Andrew Harrison

Race Coast are expecting the full house signs to go up at Hollywoodbets Greyville this morning in anticipation of Africa’s greatest race, the R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July.

On-course patrons will be treated to a carnival of entertainment but the real entertainment comes at 4pm as the 18 runners line up for the big race.

It is a competitive line-up and being a true handicap the theory is that all have an equal chance but the scratching of former ante-post favourite Star Major and The Ultimate King has opened up the race even more.

Mocha Blend’s win in the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup was at long odds but those that had paid attention were not wholly surprised. Frank Robinson’s filly is a strapping individual and has always had a touch of class. Since her Summer Cup victory Robinson has steered clear of any races that would have affected her handicap rating and 56.5kg is a handy galloping weight where Legal Counsel shoulders top weight of 62kg.

Her two warm-up runs were just that, both over distances well short of her best and in both instances she was running on smartly at the death. She goes the extra 200m for the first time but she handled the tough Turffontein 2000m comfortably and with rider Tristan Godden riding with supreme confidence of late, Mocha Blend has a lot in her favour.

Gareth van Zyl saddles the stayer King Pelles who was at the peak of his powers last year and won the Gr3 Gold Vase over 3000m on the July card. It is well documented that most horses peak in yearly cycles and Van Zyl appears to have timed King Pelles preparation to a nicety.

Although last season’s wins all came over much further, Van Zyl has taken a similar route to Mocha Blend, running in races  seemingly short of his best. However, he has been showing a sharp turn of foot in his build-up, second to Okavango in the Gr3 King’s Cup over a mile and running on late behind Zeitz in a handicap over 1400m where he was giving his fellow July runner 6kg and although they meet on the same weight terms, King Pelles is tried and tested over the trip while Zeitz has yet to venture past 1800m.

The July would not be the same without a handful of Justin Snaith runners and he saddles five of the 18.  59-year-old Andrew Fortune has been a revelation in his comeback to the saddle and would dearly love to retire with a July notch in his gun handle. He has been working alongside Snaith in the mornings and earmarked the filly Wish List a long way back and is adamant that the filly is the best of the Snaith contenders.

After winning the Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes followed by the Lucky Fish Cape Derby against the colts, she comes into the race off a string of four straight victories but not all have been plain sailing. She started at prohibitively short odds for the Gr2 Lucky Fish Woolavington and looked a beaten horse halfway up the straight. But somehow Fortune extracted extra from the filly and she snaffled the older Minogue on the line. Candice and Tammy Dawson’s mare is now 1kg better off but Snaith is a master at getting his runners to peak on the day and Wish List may well be able to come on enough to beat the weights.

Heading the handicap is Legal Counsel who has it all to do with 62kg to shoulder. However, he comes into the race off a narrow loss to the smart Questioning over 1600m and arguably his best run to date was his second to See It Again in the WSB Cape Town Met. He has a good draw to help his cause.

Snaith has a further string to his bow in Native Ruler who comes off a comfortable win in the Gr3 Lucky Fish Winter Stakes over 2400m. Keagan de Melo got a ‘feel’ for his July mount in that race and will know exactly what is under him.

Viva’s Liberte’s last win came over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville back in October last year but has been knocking at the door in useful company since. She comes in off the magical July weight of 53kg and can go back-to-back for owner Khaya Stables after their victory last year with The Real Prince.

The grey Zeitz will have plenty of supporters and comes off the back of two wins for Andre Nel. He has come to hand at just the right time and also comes into the race off a handy galloping weight. Against him is that he has not been the trip and the blinkers come off.

There is an international flavour to the race with Zak Lloyd, fresh from a win at Royal Ascot, French rider Mickaelle Michel, Chad Scofield and Mark du Plessis all in the mix. Interesting is that the two scratchings has seen the two women jockeys in the race.  Rachel Venniker has the ride on first reserve Choisaanada for Erico Verdonese who has his first runner in the race while Michel, who was down to ride ante-post favourite Star Major, got a ride through the back door after the scratching of The Ultimate King and she now partners rank outsider Curious Girl for Mike and Mathew de Kock.

The July is under-pinned by 11 other top class races that race into the night under lights in what promises to be a festive occasion.

For those not able to make the races, the day will be screened live on GTV, DStv 240 and SABC Sport.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Chepstow and Sandown (UK) – 3 July 2026

David Thiselton

This year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville, not only has the stake doubled to R10 million, but for the first time in many years it will be a straight handicap without any weight restrictions applying to horses of a certain age or gender.

The topweight is thus going to have a tougher task than usual as he carries 62kg and will have to give 10kg to the bottom weights, who carry 52kg.

The topweight is Legal Counsel and there are only two horses who are officially under sufferance, Regulation who is 1kg under sufferance and the second reserve runner Curious Girl, who came in after a second scratching and she is a whopping 6kg under sufferance.

Legal Counsel was a hair’s breadth away from being a Gr 1 WFA winner last time out when only just denied in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m and he was also runner up in the Gr 1 WFA WSB Met over 2000m. He has become a calm horse as he has matured and he will handle the razzmatazz of the day. He stays on well from handy positions. However, it will be a supreme weight carrying feat if he does it under Callan Murray, although his plum draw of five will help.

Regulation is well regarded and has put in some eye-catching performances in the past so was expected to qualify by winning the Gr 3 WSB 1900, but he was caught wide from a wide draw and worse was to come because when out to make amends in the Gr 3 Betgames Cup Trial over 1800m he was caught wide from a wide draw again and then choked up. He has landed a plum draw so should now be able to produce his best and he could defy his handicap mark. However, the one concern is he has had a wind operation and Justin Snaith did mention a breathing issue after the July Gallops, although he added that the gelding had been clear winded on that particular day.

The original favourite Star Major was scratched and that left two three-year-olds, the gelding Note To Self and the filly Wish List as the joint favourites.

Note To Self is progressive but is a big rangy type and the question is whether he can quicken quickly enough at the top of the relatively short straight. He did look trimmer at the July Gallops and more mature, but he would still like the pace to be as searching as possible.

Wish List is a dual Gr 1 winner and will have come on from her last start. She is ultra tough and is “flying” at home and can make 59-year-old Andrew Fortune the oldest jockey in history to win the July. She has a great draw of seven and this nuggety daughter of former July winner Legislate should be staying on strongly.

Gladatorian is capable of a strong finish and significantly has drawn eight this year as opposed to 16 last year when not disgraced in a five length seventh. Last year there were no females in the race and he carried joint topweight of 60kg with the bottom weighted male older horse being on 54kg, and the bottom-weighted three-year-old male being on 53kg, while this year he carries second topweight of 61,5kg, so gets half-a-kilogram from the topweight and he has to give the bottom weights 9,5kg, so it could be argued he has a tougher task, but on the other hand the field doesn’t look as strong as it was last year.

Native Ruler has had a perfect preparation and struck as a classy customer when winning his last start over 2400m. He ran a fine race from a wide draw in last year’s race and jumps from draw ten this year under Keagan de Melo. He is merit rated only two points higher this year, so is a contender.

Mocha Blend has come in with a perfect preparation. She has run on in eye-catching fashion over shorter in her last two starts and this distance is her game. She should have come into her own too, so is a big runner, although her draw of 13 is tricky.

Zeitz looks to be on the up and is the choice of many a pundit. He has a nice galloping weight of 53kg. Draw 12 is tricky and an indication of the stamina doubt he has is that the blinkers have been removed.

King Pelles has a good turn of foot and is effective over this trip. He has had a fine preparation and carrying 59kg is not out of it. His draw of 17 will be viewed as tough by some but in the July wide draws have been doing well in recent times.

Minogue stole a march in the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000 field and nearly held on. This is tougher and she will not be able to dictate on her own terms here and she also has a tough draw over a trip she has not been over before. However, she put up one of the most eye-catching July gallops, striding out powerfully.

The Ultimate King has been scratched.

Isivivane is drawn in pole and jumps well and is strong, so should be able to hold his position. He has a chance on the form of his WSB 1900 win and on pedigree he should relish this step up in trip.

Hazy Dazy went close to landing the Triple Tiara, but her run in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville is off putting as she was beaten 11,40 lengths and has a tougher task with the three-year-old males who beat her as she does not get a gender allowance here.

Aladdin’s Lamp is on the up and caught the eye with his Jubilee win and also put in one of the most eye-catching July gallops. He carries only 53kg and is in with a chance of giving the De Kock yard a sixth July victory, although he will have to do it from the widest draw of all.

Viva’s Liberte tends to take a bit of a hold which blunts his finish, but if getting covered up and relaxing he could earn from draw nine. The yard are confident of a big run and he is probably the most backed horse in the field since the final field announcement.

Olivia’s Way should enjoy the trip but as one who often runs on too late it will be tough from draw 15.

I Salute You is weighted to reverse form with Zeitz and put in an eye-catching official gallop. However, it won’t be easy from draw 14.

Choisaanada comes in as first reserve and will give Rachel Venniker, who became the first woman to ever ride in the July, the opportunity to be the first to win it. He has some good Highveld form and stretched out superbly in his official July gallop. He travels for the first time and is high in the weights which will make it tough.

The Gr 1 SA Derby winner Curious Girl has an ultra-tough task at the weights, but comes off a good run over 2400m. She is still maturing and would likely prefer further.

The selections Wish List to beat Gladatorian with Native Ruler and Mocha Blend next best and Isivivane and Aladdin’s Lamp could take the 5^th and 6^th places respectively.

David Thiselton

The Gr 3 TAB Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside on Sunday and the exciting prospect Errol Flynn could make another step towards a likely Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup long-term target.

The Master Of My Fate gelding bounced back from his Gr 1 SA Classic flop, for which he had genuine excuses, with two impressive victories over 1600m in which he put daylight between himself and the opposition. He now has another chance to prove he stays this trip. He should get stamina from his sire and although his dam was by sprinter What A Winter the latter can throw some stamina and in this case the mare’s two wins were over 1400m and 1600m respectively. He has a fair draw of five in the eight horse field and Keagan de Melo is up.

Copper Eagle ran a fine second in the Gr 3 Jubilee over 1800m and if the winner Aladdin’s Lamp does well in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, then it will enhance his chances here, although he has a tricky draw of six.

Chronicle King has some class and should stay the trip, so has a shout from draw four under Gavin Lerena.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Spirit Of Gabz is the form choice, but has a wide draw. The dangers could be Dear Doc and Snowblade, who are both well drawn.

In the fifth race over 1160m the one to beat in an uninspiring race could be Campo Formio, who wasn’t disgraced on debut behind a fair sort. WhatsdamatterwithU has been well beaten in all his starts but has faced quality opposition and has not been totally disgraced. Pole Position is a first-timer by Gimmethegreenlight out a Var mare who has produced  a couple of horses rated higher than a 100, so he could be a threat from a nice high draw.

In the sixth race over 1800m Hawkbill will enjoy the trip and is the selection in a wide open event with just six runners. Putting the whole field in the Pick 6 might be the way to go.

In the eighth race over 1160m the in-form pair Taxi To The Moon and African Pride could fight it out, with preference for the latter because he is on the up, while Taxi To Moon is likely using it as a preparation race for the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint.

In the ninth over 1400m Master Christmas is well drawn in three and should make a bold bid over a suitable trip. The fillies Kensal Green and Warning Sound, if she takes her place after running on Thursday, could be the chief dangers.

In the third race over 1400m Within Reach is the form choice. Impressive won in taking style over this trip last time and although officially having a hard task at the weights with Within Reach on their last meeting she looks to be on the up.

In the second race over 2400m Enflame has tremendous Highveld staying form and can carry topweight to victory from pole position under Gavin Lerena.

In the first over 1160m Irish Wilma can go close if able to reproduce her penultimate start.

In the tenth over 1600m the progressive War Reporter can continue on his winning ways from a plum draw.

David Thiselton

Owner Jonathan Bloch has a fascinating history behind him as a horseracing fan and owner and he almost certainly created July history just over a week ago, because after the announcement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July final field he was part-owner not only of the favourite Star Major, but also of the two joint-second favourites, Wish List and Note To Self.

Of course Wish List and Note To Self are now the joint-favourites after the shock scratching of Star Major, but whilst the scratching was disappointing for Jonathan as well as for trainer James Crawford and the other part-owners Neville Isdell, Ravi Naidoo and Prakashni Pillay, Jonathan knows the correct decision was made.

He said, “I I grew up riding and have always loved horses. I would never harm a horse. It can be asked ‘Could we have got him right for Saturday, could we have got his temperature down?’ Maybe. But if I am a partner in a horse it ain’t gonna happen. We will come back to fight another day. The other thing was we were not going to take him out on Friday or Saturday to deprive somebody else from having a chance to run, it’s just not the way the game is meant to work.”

He continued, “It was a disappointment for everybody, but all the owners have been absolutely amazing about it and philosophical. That is the secret about having the right partners.”

He added, “The person I really felt for was Neville Isdell as he is now 80 years old and he had previously had a fancied July runner, Zapatillas, who was also scratched on the week of the race. It was also a hard knock for our jockey Mickaelle Michel (although she now gets a ride on second reserve Curious Girl).”

Jonathan commented on Wish List and Note To Self, “Both horses are really well and are looking good. Their bloods are good and they are both working nicely.  They are in a good space and we will have some fun.”

He added, “If you had to say which one is closer to my heart it would obviously be the filly, because she is just such a trier and has just been the most amazing horse (five wins including her last four starts consisting of two Gr 1s and two Gr 2s). If she can just reproduce her Derby run. But Note To Self is a very interesting horse too. When we bought him he was immature, but a magnificent yearling and we didn’t overpay. The penny dropped in his run before the Derby and his Derby run was also good. He has furnished well and is looking magnificent. Richard (Fourie) has been riding him in work and is feeling comfortable with him and is quietly confident.”

Jonathan said it was fitting both horses run in Nancy Hossack’s colours because he not only described her as the “perfect partner to have in racing,”, but the colours were her late father Jack Mitchell’s colours and the latter owned the respective sires of the two horses, Legislate and Futura.

Jonathan’s feat of having the three July favourites might just be one of the records he has established this Champions Season, because it is believed he might also be the first owner to capture all of what used to be KZN’s four classics. He won the Gr 2 WSB Guineas and Gr 1 Daily News 2000 with Star Major and the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas and Gr 2 Woolavington 2000 with Wish List, although the latter race is no longer a classic as it is now open to older horses.

What makes the records more incredible is that although he is a long-time owner he is not a particularly prolific, big-spending owner. In fact he has only ever had one July runner before and it was 27 years ago, a horse called Ess Five Beaches, who finished 13th in 1999.

Jonathan was fortunate to be able to mix with some of horseracing’s greatest industrymen when he was fresh out of university.

He recalled, “I came into racing in about 1989-90-91. When I had finished university and started off as a young stockbroker I met two amazing guys by the names of Abe Swersky and Arnold Golombick. They were doyens of racing and very involved with the like of the great trainer Terrance Millard. They were just amazing to me and opened the doors for me. So at the beginning of my career I had Swersky, Golombick, Graham Beck, Laurie Jaffee as my clients. I was unbelievably blessed, but more importantly having them as my clients I also had them as my mentors. So I was a young guy in my early 20s being mentored by these captains of industry, it was just beyond belief, and 35 years later those relationships still continue.”

He continued, “I took small shares in horses back then and when Swersky stood down from the Jockey Club I landed up replacing him. However, I then had a difference of opinion with Markus Jooste in about 2003 and got out of racing until coming back about five years ago.”

The story of Ess Five Beaches is a fascinating one as Jonathan was asked by the family of big horseracing owner Len Salzman to accompany the latter to the Sales in New Zealand Sales with the aim of trying to help control his spending.

Jonathan, recalled, “Len was a great character, but uncontrollable and I failed dismally in my task! He ended up buying a jumbo-load of horses.”

He added, “One of them was this lovely grey by Zabeel which I took a share in and he was my first and only July runner to date. Len lived in the same block as Graham Beck in a residential estate called Beaches and he was in apartment S5. So his address was S5 Beaches and his wife’s name was Esther, so the horse was named Ess Five Beaches.”

Jonathan should improve on his July record to date on what will be a much anticipated race meeting on Saturday.

David Thiselton

In further Hollywoodbets Durban July breaking news the Tony Peter-trained The Ultimate King was scratched on Wednesday morning when found to be lame on his near hind.

This was bitterly disappointing news for owners Suzette and Basie Viljoen as they felt he had “a good chance.”

The couple had a runner two years ago, Hoedspruit, who finished unplaced, but Suzette confirmed the disappointment and added, “There are a lot of races, but the July is definitely every owner’s dream.”

The second reserve runner now comes into the race.

The Gr 2 SA Derby winner Curious Girl thus gives Mike and Mathew de Kock a second runner in the field of 18 and she also gives champion owners Hollywood Racing a second runner.

History is now going to be made as Mickaelle Michel has been declared for Curious Girl, which means there will be two woman jockeys in the big race.

Mickaelle became available when the favourite Star Major was scratched yesterday (Tuesday), whilst Rachel Venniker was declared for the first reserve to come in, the Erico Verdonese-trained Choisaanada.

Rachel became the first woman to ride in the July two years ago and ironically she was aboard the Suzette and Basie Viljoen-owned Hoedspruit.

Mike de Kock has won the July five times and will be out to land a first one as a partner with his son Mathew.

Curious Girl comes into the draw vacated by The Ultimate King, the plum barrier position of three.

The fairy tale story behind French jockey Mickaelle Michel is now alive once more, but instead of being on the favourite she is now aboard the horse who officially has the toughest task. The Futura filly is officially 6kg under sufferance carrying bottom weight of 52kg off a 100 merit rating.

Soccer6 Friday 3 July 2026.  Carryover R100 000. Estimated Pool: R 600 000. Pool Closes at 20h00. Sport 4 Pool 2.

Soccer10 Friday 3 July 2026. ADD-IN: R200 000. Estimated Pool: R2 Million. Pool Closes at 20h00. Sport 19 Pool 1

Soccer10 Saturday 4 July 2026. ADD-IN: R200 000. Estimated Pool: R2 Million. Pool Closes at 19h00. Sport 14 Pool 1

Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 4 July 2026. Carryover R200 000. Estimated Pool: R500 000. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 13 and Pool 1.