David Thiselton

The nine race meeting on Sunday at Turffontein Standside includes a Graduation Plate, two Middle Stakes events and a MR94 Handicap for fillies and mares.

In the Graduation Plate Winds Of Change gets everything in his favour and as the best weighted runner he can get it right at last. He is drawn towards the favourable outside in the 1160m event and should be cherry ripe. Muzi Yeni was on him when he went close from an unfavourable low draw three runs ago over this same course and distance and Yeni is back aboard for the first time since. Chapbook beat Winds Of Change by a length when they last met over 1000m and is now 2,5kg worse off if claims are ignored, but otherwise 4kg worse off. It will be tough for him and he disappointed last time over 1200m. He is better than that last run and can bounce back now he is back at Turffontein. Rifle Queen won both of her first two starts and made a fine comeback recently from a five month layoff. She has a potentally tricky draw of three according to trends, but sometimes the trend is not applicable and horses win down the inside, while she also has Gavin Lerena up and he will formulate a plane to overcome the draw. Kaalvoet beat Chapbook last time having lost to him before that, but last time was his third run on the Highveld and he should be able to repeat the effort. Anchorage is speedy and has some class but does have her quirks, like trying to savage a horse in her penultimate start. She has a low draw, but has the ability to be right there.

In the MR 94 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m Accept Cookies has progressed well and was beaten by a classy sort last time over this same trip off this same merit rating. She now has pole position with Lerena up, so should take a power of beating. Palace Dancer disappointed last time but is capable of better and can bounce back from a slightly better draw. Mountain High went close over 1450m last time and will enjoy stepping back up to a trip she has won over before. Lady Sabrina is in good form and should relish the step back up in trip, a trip she has won over before. She once ran close up to Accept Cookies over this trip and is now 3kg better off with her from that run, although she was a three-year-old then and has not progressed as well as Accept Cookies. Streisand has become disappointing, but from a good draw could bounce back as she seemed to be full of scope at one stage.

In the first of the Middle Stakes events over 2400m  Battleground was always one with a lot of potential over staying trips and his four career wins are from 2400m to 3200m. After bouncing back with a close second last time over 2000m off a reduced merit rating of 89, he looks potentially well handicapped here off the same 89, because that makes him officially the second best weighted horse in the race and he has won easily off an 88 before. Douglas Dragon is an honest stayer and is officially the best weighted horse, so should be right there. Enflame is officially 2kg under sufferance with Douglas Dragon, but has done well in both staying starts he has raced in, including in the Listed Allied Steelrode Java Stakes over 2400m which was in testing conditions. Ethical is officially 4kg under sufferance with Douglas Dragon but does have the 1,5kg claim of Mickaelle Michel to help her and being by Heavenly Blue out of a Royal Mo mare whose six career starts included one win over 1800m, she might well relish the step up to a staying trip. Nebraas is a former Gold Cup winner who is now a nine-year-old. He beat Enflame by 1,70 lengths in the Java Stakes, but is now 4kg worse off.

The second Middle Stakes event over 1400m will see Tintin hard to beat as he looks to be full of ability. The horse he beat by 5,75 lengths last time, Quickfreeze, has subsequently come out to win by 4,25 lengths and 3,50 lengths respectively. Tintin has a fair draw of five and can beat Chieftain’s Shield who has progressed nicely into a reliable sort. Coppola could earn if reproducing his best.

In the fifth race over 1800m Peace Treaty should go close with a repeat of his last start and the middle draw is not bad. Caus Belli is usually thereabouts but has to overcome a tough draw. Full Go ran a cracker in his penultimate start over 2000m and will need to repeat it from a similar draw to be involved. 7 Crepuscolo beat Peace Treaty and Caus Belli last time they met but was raised four points and disappointed next time out. World Order could earn in this race.

In the seventh over 1600m Paris Fun just failed over 1400m last time and will be hard to beat over a strep up in trip she should relish and she has Zackey up from a fair draw. Sigfrid Swing will enjoy this trip and has Lerena up, albeit from a tricky draw. Alta Capitana should start progressing off a competitive mark. Into Dancing has turned the corner with blinkers and should be thereabouts. Fish Hawk has an easier task than last time when tried in a Gr 3 and she will be a threat.

In the eighth over 1400m Michael Faraday has a lot of ability and if able to overcome a wide draw has a fine chance. Pretty Analia is capable of a strong finish and has a shout from pole position. Golden Aspen is in good form and can be right there again. Vava Vegas can be in the shake up if producing his best. Lava Fire ran a fair race last time and could earn again.

In the first race over 1160m Gimmesumluv and Trail Runner should fight it out.

In the second Space Mission is the one to beat in an uninspiring field.

RACE 1

7 GIMMESUMLUV 4 TRAIL RUNNER 1 MRS STORMIATRIX 2 EMERALD COUNTESS

Preview: 7 GIMMESUMLUV made a fair debut and should improve. 4 TRAIL RUNNER is knocking on the door and should be right there. 1 MRS STORMIATRIX has shown enough ability to earn in this line up. 2 EMERALD COUNTESS can go close if repeating her last start. (David Thiselton 7-4-1-2)

RACE 2

1 SPACE MISSION 2 MONKEY’S WEDDING 3 TRURO LEGACY 8 SABRAGE

Preview: 1 SPACE MISSION is the one to beat in an uninspiring field.  2 MONKEY’S WEDDING can earn if repeating his penultimate start. 3 TRURO LEGACY has shown some sign of ability. 8 SABRAGE can improve and might be able to place in this line up. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-8)

RACE 3

1 WINDS OF CHANGE 3 CHAPBOOK 6 RIFLE QUEEN 8 KAALVOET

Preview: 1 WINDS OF CHANGE has been threatening since gelding to bounce back to his best and gets a good opportunity here. 3 CHAPBOOK disappointed last time but should enjoy this fast course and distance. 6 RIFLE QUEEN has a lot of talent and ran a fine race after a layoff in latest. 8 KAALVOET should be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 1-3-6-8)

RACE 4

2 BATTLEGROUND 3 DOUGLAS DRAGON 4 ENFLAME 5 ETHICAL

Preview: 2 BATTLEGROUND is a talented stayer and looks ready to win again. 3 DOUGLAS DRAGON is an honest stayer and should be right there.4 ENFLAME has some class and would not be a surprise winner. 5 ETHICAL will have to bounce back from a bit of a disappointing run last time. (David Thiselton 2-3-4-5)

RACE 5

2 PEACE TREATY 4 CASUS BELLI 6 FULL GO 7 CREPUSCOLO

Preview: 2 PEACE TREATY should go close with a repeat of last start and the middle draw is not bad. 4 CASUS BELLI is usually thereabouts but has to overcome a tough draw. 6 FULL GO ran a cracker in latest and will need to repeat from a similar draw. 7 CREPUSCOLO is capable of better than last time and has a chance. (DavidThiselton 2-4-6-7)

RACE 6

1 ACCEPT COOKIES 3 PALACE DANCER 7 MOUNTAIN HIGH 5 LADY SABRINA

Preview: 1 ACCEPT COOKIES has a lot of ability and from pole position with Lerena up is the one to beat over an ideal trip. 3 PALACE DANCER disappointed last time but is capable of better and can bounce back. 7 MOUNTAIN HIGH went close over 1450m last time and should enjoy this trip. 5 LADY SABRINA is in good form and should relish the step back up in trip. (David Thiselton 1-3-7-5)

RACE 7

7 PARIS FUN 5 SIGRID SWING 3 ALTA CAPITANA 6 INTO DANCING

Preview: 7 PARIS FUN just failed over 1400m last time and will be hard to beat over step up in trip she should relish and she has Zackey up from a fair draw. 5 SIGRID SWING will enjoy this trip and has Lerena up, albeit from a tricky draw. 3 ALTA CAPITANA should start progressing off a competitive mark. 6 INTO DANCING has turned the corner with blinkers and should be thereabouts. (David Thiselton 7-5-3-6)

RACE 8

1 MICHAEL FARADAY 3 PRETTY ANALIA 7 GOLDEN ASPEN 8 VAVA VEGAS

Preview: 1 MICHAEL FARADAY has a lot of ability and if able to overcome a wide draw has a fine chance. 3 PRETTY ANALIA is capable of a strong finish and has a shout from pole position. 7 GOLDEN ASPEN is in good form and can be right there again. 8 VAVA VEGAS can be in the shake up if producing his best. (David Thiselton1-3-7-8)

 RACE 9

8 TINTIN 5 CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD 2 COPPOLA 6 JABARI THIMBA

Preview: 8 TINTIN looks to have plenty of class and is the one to beat. 5 CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD has progressed into a reliable sort and can continue to earn cheques. 2 COPPOLA could be in the shake up if reproducing his best. 6 JABARI THIMBA has it easier than last time and should be thereabouts. (8-5-2-6)

David Thiselton

The 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July will be a milestone one with the prize money doubled to R10 million and with a longer handicap introduced as the topweight will be upped to 62kg and bottom weight lowered to 52kg.

It will fittingly fall on the 30th anniversary of the centenary July, which turned out to be one of the greatest of all Julys as it was won by the legendary Alec Laird-trained London News, who went on to put South African racing on the map by winning the QE II Cup in Hong Kong.

The renowned South African wildlife painter Henk Vos released his celebrated work, the Painting Of The Century, depicting a century of July winners, after the July’s centenary running.

The iconic painting now hangs in the Classic Room at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Alec Laird actually ordered one of the prints of the painting before it was completed as the print had the first of his great Uncle Syd Garrett’s five July winners on the left and the greatest of his father’s record seven July winners, Sea Cottage, was in the centre.

The right hand side just had a blank with a silhouette of a horse, because Vos did not know yet which horse he was going to paint there.

Alec, who trained out of Randjesfontein on the Highveld, related, “He hadn’t made up his mind what horse he was going to put in the last panel (the 20th panel) and he even said to me ‘I would like you to win the July because I would like to put you as the last painting.’ With about a year to go I said to him I’m not going to make it.’”

However, fate then had it that London News not only became the 14/10 favourite for the 100th running of the July, but he was also saddle cloth number 20, being the only three-year-old in the field and the bottom weight.

Piere Strydom recalled, “I remember at the traditional Friday night cocktail Henk Vos was there with his big painting and there was one spot left for the 100th winner and I can still remember saying to someone that I think my picture’s going to be up there.”

London News duly won the race and Alec, London News and Piere Strydom are now at the forefront of the famous painting’s 20th panel and the horse is fittingly carrying the no. 20 saddle cloth.

The London News story starts at the National Yearling Sale of 1994.

Alec recalled big owners Laurie and Jean Jaffee’s chief aim at that Sale was to buy a yearling by their own 1987 July winner, Bush Telegraph.

Alec recalled Harmony Forever being his number one choice at that Sale.

However, he remembered London News being “a nice horse.”

He added, “On the first day a Bush Telegraph colt called Mr Newspaperman went for about R300,000. London News looked more athletic and Jean Jaffee actually said to me, ‘What about this one?’ On the first day they didn’t get a horse, the second day they didn’t get one and the more they asked me about London News the nicer he got, because I was otherwise going to go home without a horse!”

The Jaffees managed to secure London News.

Alec recalled, “He was a light youngster and even as a three-year-old was quite light. He didn’t show immediately, but we always had the feeling that he would be a nice horse when he matured.”

In fact, London News made a particularly inauspicious debut, beaten no fewer than 16,5 lengths under Anton Marcus in a 1200m Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m at the Vaal on June 6, 1995.

However, he got better and better and when he smashed the Greyville 2000m course record, which still stands today, in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, he had won six out of eleven starts including the Dingaans and two middle distance Gr 1s.

Piere Strydom was aboard for the Daily News 2000 too.

He reflected on the 1996 July, the first of his four victories in South Africa’s greatest race, “London News was a lekker horse to ride because he had gate speed, a lot of natural speed and he would travel right up there in front and he had a good kick. But at the top of the straight (having led) I thought with a light weight let me just let the reins go a bit and get a length or two for the short straight. But he accelerated way quicker than I had expected and that’s when he made up three or four lengths on the field. Obviously it was going to tell at the end and he was stopping quite badly at the end. I heard the horses coming and I was just hoping for the line and he held on.”

Alec added, “Mike Rattray had invited me to watch in his box because it was on the line and he won by a neck but my eyes wouldn’t believe it because there was so much pressure. I wanted to see the number up!”

Alec described the emotion of being on the honour roll together with his late record-breaking seven-time July-winning father Syd.

In fact his extended family is comfortably the most prolific July-winning family in history with his grandfather Alec winning one as a jockey, his great Uncle Syd Garrett winning two as a jockey and three as a trainer, his father Syd winning a record seven as a trainer, and the cousins Dennis Drier, Alec Laird and Charles Laird each winning one July apiece – a total of 16 for the July dynasty.

Durban, South Africa – The countdown has begun! The 129th edition of Africa’s premier horse racing and social spectacular, the Hollywoodbets Durban July (HDJ), is set to take place on Saturday, 5th July 2025, at the iconic Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. As the most anticipated fixture on South Africa’s racing calendar, the event seamlessly blends world-class horse racing with high fashion, entertainment, and a memorable social experience.

Staying true to the theme of “Marvels of Mzansi,” this year’s racing extravaganza promises an iconic line-up of South African talent, featuring a diverse array of artists set to captivate all attendees throughout the day. The national anthem will be beautifully performed by one of the country’s leading songstresses – look out for the reveal in May. With these performances, the thousands of attendees expected at Hollywoodbets Greyville will have a memorable experience. Stay tuned for the full artist line-up. All ticket holders can look forward to a day filled with live entertainment that will be talked about for years to come, as this year’s HDJ celebrates Mzansi’s vibrant spirit. 

Tickets for this outstanding event are now officially on sale via Ticketpro (www.ticketpro.co.za). Priced at R230 for general admission, your ticket grants access to a day of thrilling racing action, live entertainment, fashion showcases, gourmet food experiences, and an array of engaging activations from event partners. For added convenience, onsite parking is available for R170 per vehicle.

For those seeking an elevated experience, the VIP hospitality packages provide exclusive access to luxurious enclosures, premium viewing areas, and top-tier catering. These options can be explored on the official event website (www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za). Please note that VIP hospitality packages do not include general admission tickets, which must be purchased separately via Ticketpro.

This year’s theme, “Marvels Of Mzansi”, was unveiled in late February, marking the official commencement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience, presented by Durban Fashion Fair. The fashion programme includes the much-anticipated HDJ Young Designer Award, showcasing the best up-and-coming talents from KwaZulu-Natal. The winners will share the spotlight with the HDJ Invited Designers and DFF Rising Stars at the HDJ Fashion Preview Gala, set to take place at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in late June.

Racing enthusiasts can also look forward to the announcement of the first official entrants on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. With last year’s champion, Oriental Charm, emerging as the early ante-post favourite, excitement is already building. 

Secure your tickets today and experience Africa’s greatest horse racing and social event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July!