RACE 1

Besides (1) FYFIELD LEGEND, the balance of the field are unraced. It’s advised to monitor the betting, listen to trainer comments as well as keep a close eye on runners during their parade when making your final decision. (1) FYFIELD LEGEND has the experience hence he will be the narrow first selection.

RACE 2

(16) ROCKIE BLUE has been holding form and will go close with the experience under the belt. She had a wide draw to negotiate in her last start on poly, down the straight this time she will be a massive runner. (3) RIVER FERN is knocking on the door and will a big threat to the top selection. (13) FOCAL POINT returns after a break but has scope to feature as she has only had 3 runs. (5) BRIGHT ERUPTION can get much closer and can be included into the placings. (Devonne Govender 16-3-13-5).

RACE 3

Strong race. (1) ROYAL KINGDOM is holding solid form and is on the up, he needs to be respected here in this competitive line up. (5) ALL SYSTEMS GO is packed with ability, he ran a cracker up in the Highveld finishing 3rd to the top class Trust. He will make his presence felt here. (2) BUFFALO BILL is another smart individual who continues to catch the eye, this will be a test for him but he could be up to the task. (3) ABOVE THE HORIZON can be included in larger perms, quartet chance. (Devonne Govender 1-5-2-3).

RACE 4

(2) LADY LIMONCELLO represents Highveld form which stands up strong here in the province, many others with form in this contest have had many chances hence (2) LADY LIMONCELLO will be the firm first choice. (4) AMANATTO has been consistent and will be the main danger to the top selection. (1) LANA VIEW is always in the mix, she gets a claimer up and can feature here. (6) OCEAN FLAME is another who is holding consistent form and will be in the mix. (Devonne Govender 2-4-1-6).

RACE 5

(2) DANISH DYNAMITE is holding excellent form and will be a tough nut to crack in this strong line up. (5) SONG OF MYSELF is another who is in excellent form and will challenge the top selection. (6) HOT SAUCE is on the up and will be right there at the finish, she needs respect. (7) SPORTS FAN is capable of much better and can run into the money. (Devonne Govender 5-4-6-7).

RACE 6

(1) DAS GUTE is holding excellent form and should be a strong contender with the apprentice claiming 2.5kgs. (10) SHORI KAI has plenty of scope to go well, not to mention a light mass hence he needs to be respected. (9) SILENT TRIGGER wasn’t far in the last start and should be right there once again. (11)CHRONICLESOFNANIA is very capable on her day and should be in the mix once again. (Devonne Govender 1-10-9-11).

RACE 7

Open race. (2) ENCHANTING CHOICE is in great form hence she is the top selection, although she was narrowly beaten by (1) SPLICETHEMAINBRACE she holds consistent form and there shouldn’t be much to choose. (6) HOERIKWAGGO won impressively in her last start and looks progressive, she is capable running a big race here so needs to be respected especially with the fact that Richard Fourie is aboard. The classy (1) SPLICETHEMAINBRACE must go into all bets. Although she was well beaten in her last start she can certainly win this on best form but has a big weight to carry. (7) EAST COAST GIRL has been consistent and has a light mass to shoulder, with Craig Zackey aboard she will need to be respected. (Devonne Govender 2-6-1-7).

RACE 8

(6) HOLLANDIA BAKKERIJ ran a cracker in the last start and should go one better here, big winning chance. (1) THUNDER MASTER has been consistent, he is capable of a big finish and will be eating up the ground late. (3) SUPREME JUDGE is never far back and can get closer, include in quartets. (10) MR BELVEDERE hasn’t been far in recent starts and can make the placings. (Devonne Govender 6-1-3-10).

RACE 9

Open race. (5) SESAME ran a cracker in the last start and her overall form is good, she will be a leading contender here. (8) GLOBAL DRUMBEAT ran well at huge odds in his last start, he can certainly challenge again if repeating that. (1) GARDEN SUN is never far back and is another that cannot be ruled out. (2) KING OF VICTORY ran well with Andrew Fortune aboard in his last start, he should be in the firing once again as Fortune retains the ride. (Devonne Govender 5-8-1-2-13-14).

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!