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.

David Thiselton

The R500,000 WSB Grand Heritage saw another big crowd enjoying themselves at the Vaal and produced its usual thrilling finish with the Diane Stenger-trained Mastership proving why he is held in such high regard and giving Marco van Rensburg a third success in the race that has the biggest field in South African racing.

Bred by the father and son partnership of Cecil & Dr Gary Baitz, the five-year-old Master Of My Fate gelding had been a supplementary entry for this year’s Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup.

However, middle distances had seemed beyond him, because sandwiched in between a 1600m and 1500m victory in October and December respectively this year was a 3,95 length fourth over 1800m.

He was given a four point raise for the 1500m win, but the key was that this long-striding sort had seem to have come into his own since being applied with blinkers and since being ridden by Van Rensburg.

Since blinkers had been fitted he had finished a close third to Obisidian over 1600m and then had the sequence of those two wins over 1600m and 1500m, with the 1800m fourth in between, and he was ridden by Van Rensburg in those last three races.

The Grand Heritage is a far cry from the Summer Cup, so the starting price of 10/1 was good value from a draw of eight on a day in which the course had been immaculately prepared, meaning there appeared to be no significant draw bias.

Three-year-old Yippie Kay Yay for the in-form Mike and Mathew de Kock yard started favourite in the 21-horse field and looked fit and well in the parade ring, but then played up on the way to the start.

 Obsidian and Master Christmas were 8/1 shots. but the former was going to have to overcome a three point raise for a narrow win last time, while the latter did not impress going down to the start.

Pressonregardless was also 8/1 and looked a picture going down under Richard Fourie, but carrying 59,5kg off a 104 merit rating was not going to be easy.

The Nathan Kotzen-trained raider Rollotheviking came in for support to start at 25/2, while the local Highveld horse Birthright came in for a lot of support to also start at 25/2.

Mastership pinged the gate and from a prominent position and without cover he drifted towards the outside, which is often perceived to be the better going down the Vaal straight.

However, Savanna Valjalo had stuck to her station on the 100/1 outsider Sonic Jet from draw ten and this proved there was no great bias as he held the lead until the 200m mark and kept plugging on.

Rollotheviking had been trapped travelling well behind a wall of horses on the outside rail, but fortunately the running on 100/1 outsider Bob’s Your Uncle shifted inward under pressure and Rollotheviking was able to burst through running on strongly under Muzi Yeni.

Some would have viewed Rollotheviking as unlucky, but Mastership was being eased at the line and still won by 0,80 lengths from the KZN raider.

Bob’s Your Uncle was a 1,10 length third with Sonic Jet beaten 1,30 lengths into fourth and Obsidian a 1,50 length fifth.

Yippee Kay Yay made some late progress to finish ninth, but both Pressonregardless and Birthright were unable to find extra after sitting off the pace and they finished 17th and 15th respectively.

Mastership was another triumph for Varsfontein Stud-based sire Master Of My Fate, whose classy son Jan Van Goyen won the prestigious Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas the previous Saturday. The Jet Master stallion is now lying in third place on the national log behind the two champions Vercingetorix and Gimmethegreenlight.

Mastership was bought for R300,000 at the National Yearling Sale by Scott Gaskell, who now owns him in partnership with Desiree de Andrade.

The pair have poured a lot into racing and this was their first feature winner.

The Baitz family purchased Mastership’s Argonaut dam Clear Sailing out of the Dennis Drier yard after her original owners, Robyn and Robin Muir, had decided to put her on the market as a three-time winner.

Clear Sailing has done well at the Sales and at the August Two-year Sale last year her Rafeef daughter Sistership, who has finished second in both of her starts for Alec Laird, fetched R800,000.

Marco van Rensburg’s previous two wins in the Grand Heritage were on Stuart Pettigrew-trained horses, Soldier On in 2018 and ExpressfromtheUS in 2020.

RACE 1

1 WINDS OF GRACE 3 HUBERTUS HUNT 4 GALAXY QUEEN 10 SHADOWLINE

Preview: 1 WINDS OF GRACE is knocking on the door and has a fine chance to get it right here from a good draw over a suitable trip. 3 HUBERTUS HUNT improved to run a cracker in soft conditions last time and could earn if able to overcome a tricky draw under Muzi Yeni. 4 GALAXY QUEEN has 2,60 lengths to make up on Winds Of Grace but is improving. 10 SHADOWLINE has run two fair races and could improve. (David Thiselton 1-3-4-10)

RACE 2

11 BABETTE’S FEAST 7 LANCE ALOT 1 MILAN’S WORLD

Preview: 11 BABETTE’S FEAST disappointed last time but will appreciate the step back up in trip. 7 LANCE ALOT could have got closer last time if not carried out by the promising winner and now has a 4kg claimer but the draw it tricky. 1 MILAN’S WORLD has 1,70 lengths to find on Lance A Lot. (David Thiselton 11-7-1)

RACE 3

1 NKWENKWEZI 3 SKY PILLAR ROCK 8 CASUS BELLI

Preview: 1 NKWENKWEZI was due to have run last Thursday when coming off a hattrick and this progressive sort can rise above her current merit rating. 3 SKY PILLAR ROCK won well over 1800m and will enjoy this trip but does have a five point raise to overcome. 8 CASUS BELLI can earn if repeating either of his last two starts. (David Thiselton 1-3-8)

RACE 4

3 FATHER CHRISTMAS 6 PRINCE OF KILDARE 4 LADY BLUNT 1 JOHNNY DRAMA

Preview: 3 FATHER CHRISTMAS is knocking on the door is two runs on the Highveld and will be a big runner here from a middle draw. 6 PRINCE OF KILDARE is knocking on the door and is perfectly distance suited with Callan Murray up but does have a tricky draw. 4 LADY BLUNT has a form chance here from a good draw over a suitable trip. 1 JOHNNY DRAMA is distance suited and in good form but has to overcome a five point raise for his last win. (David Thiselton 3-6-4-1)

RACE 5

2 FRANCILIEN 3 TINA LOVELACE 6 LADY SABRINA 7 TOO LATE MY MATE

Preview: 2 FRANCILIEN was most disappointing last time but now has a good draw and can bounce back. 3 TINA LOVELACE finished second in the Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Stakes over 1600m and her class could help her overcome a big weight of 59kg for a three-year-old. 6 LADY SABRINA is in cracking form but does have a tough draw.  7 TOO LATE MY MATE had some eyecatching form as a three-year-old and has a tough draw in her reappearance but could make her presence felt. (David Thiselton 2-3-6-7)

RACE 6

3 SARAGOSSA CAT 4 WHIRLYBIRD 1 SISTER GOLDEN HAIR 5 OPEN SESAME

Preview: 3 SARAGOSSA CAT won impressively last time and can follow up off a reasonable mark. 4 WHIRLYBIRD  has improved with blinkers on in her last two and should be right there. 1 SISTER GOLDEN HAIR disappointed in her two comeback runs but this is easier and she should have come on from the two runs.  OPEN SESAME has shown enough ability in three starts to earn here. (David Thiselton 3-4-1-5)

RACE 7

7 MANYELETI 5 ALPINE JET 4 GREEN FLASH 11 MYSTICAL MISS

Preview: 7 MANYELETI is very quick and only just failed to make it two in a row when beaten by a smart sort. 5 ALPINE JET was beaten more than nine lengths by Manyeleti last time but is better than that. 4 GREEN FLASH is capable of being in the shake up here. 11 MYSTICAL MISS has shown enough to be able to earn. (David Thiselton 7-5-4-11)

RACE 8

8 TEMPRANILLO 6 AMAZONIAN 5 DEAL MAKER 11 PLUMBAGO PARK

Preview: 8 TEMPRANILLO was an easy winner third time out and can follow up off a reasonable merit rating. 6 AMAZONIAN improved last time and can progress again. 5 DEAL MAKER is knocking on the door and should be right there. 11 PLUMBAGO PARK has some eyecatching form and is a contender. (David Thiselton 8-6-5-11)

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Lingfield and Wolverhampton (UK) – 22 December 2025.

Andrew Harrison

Keagan de Melo may not have been flavour of the season in Hong Kong but I highly doubt that it was due to a lack of talent but more likely to do with a lack of opportunity. He will however, have honed his riding skills in the competitive Hong Kong environment and it was on display at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday night where he scored a hattrick in quick succession.

He showed a mature judgement of pace on Plum Pudding for Andre Nel and assistant Byron Forster in the Middle Stakes that headed the card and first leg of the Pick 6. He rode a patient race on the mare, coming from a long way back to seal victory.

Stable companion Terminator gave Tristan Godden a tough time, fighting for his head for much of the race before finally allowed his head and going well clear. With more in front than behind, De Melo allowed Plum Pudding to gradually build up a head of steam off the false rail and one in full stride, the mare quickened past the opposition to win rather comfortably.

He rode a smart race for his old boss Dean Kannemeyer, getting Continentalexpress home in the C Stakes over 2400m. The gelding was back over his preferred trip but De Melo, judging that the pedestrian pace was not to his advantage, took on pacemaker High Queue putting Sean Veale under pressure coming up the hill with the balance chasing. From there on, Continentalexpress gradually drew away from High Queue to win convincingly. The gelding appears to have come into his own this season and could well be a contender in the staying features towards season end.

De Melo’s run started in the second with Copacabana for Dennies Bosch in the opening leg of the PA.

Stalking pacemaker My Gucci Girl, he made an early move at the top of the straight and the mare kicked on gamely to stave off challenges from Golden Angel and Futano with many of the more fancied not in the hunt and a large number of PA tickets heading for the waste bin.

De Melo was not so fortunate in the fourth where S’Manga Khumalo took Numzaan to the front and was not for the catching as Frikkie Greyling’s charge kept up a solid gallop. Industrialstrength was making up ground over the final furlong but not quickly enough to cut back the deficit to mount a serious challenge.

Cole Dicken is a solid journeyman rider and makes the most of his opportunities when they come.

He replaced the injured Serino Moodley on Circumbendibus in the B Stakes and was given something of an armchair ride as Glen Kotzen’s charge ran away from his opposition to score rather comfortably. Second-placed I’m A Fireball, having his first outing after a six-month break, was given a gentle reintroduction but was running on stoutly for second and should come on plenty with that run under his girth.

Dicken picked up the ride on Iron Will in the last and he made all on Yadav Singh’s veteran galloper, chased home by favourite Music Is Life who tried gamely but never able to get onto terms with the winner.