The Hollywoodbets Durban July Handicap is a South African Thoroughbred horse race held annually on the first Saturday of July since 1897 at Greyville Racecourse in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Raced on turf, the Durban July Handicap is open to horses of all ages. It is South Africa's premier horse racing event and currently offers a purse of R10 million.

First held in July 1897 at a distance of 1 mile (approx 1600m), the distance was modified several times until 1970 when it was changed to its current 2200 meters (11 furlongs).

The 129th edition was held on 5 July 2025. The winner was The Real Prince, who was ridden by Craig Zackey and trained by Dean Kannemeyer. The horse was owned and bred by Khaya Stables (Pty) Ltd.

Field for 2026

Below is the final field for the 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July to be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville racecourse on 4 July 2026, Race 7, 16h00. Should a horse be scratched early, the reserve runner would take up the barrier position of the scratched horse.

No Dr Horse Wgt MR Eq Jock Trainer 1 1 Isivivane 52 108 A Sean Veale Peter Muscutt 2 2 Regulation 52 106 A Zac Lloyd Justin Snaith 3 3 The Ultimate King 56.5 117 BA Kabelo Matsunyane Tony Peter 4 4 Star Major 57 122 A #Mickaelle Michel James Crawford 5 5 Legal Counsel 62 128 A Callan Murray Justin Snaith 6 6 Hazy Dazy 54.5 117 HA *Trent Mayhew Corne Spies 7 7 Wish List 54.5 117 A Andrew Fortune Justin Snaith 8 8 Gladatorian 61.5 127 T A Muzi Yeni Stuart Ferrie 9 9 Viva's Liberte 53 114 A Craig Zackey Candice Bass 10 10 Native Ruler 58.5 121 A Keagan de Melo Justin Snaith 11 11 Note To Self 55 118 A Richard Fourie Justin Snaith 12 12 Zeitz 53 110 BA Serino Moodley Andre Nel 13 13 Mocha Blend 56.5 117 A Tristan Godden Frank Robinson 14 14 I Salute You 54.5 113 BA Mark Du Plessis Peter Muscutt 15 15 Olivia's Way 55 114 CA Juan Paul v'd Merwe Roy Magner 16 16 Minogue 56 116 A Gavin Lerena Candice / Tammy Dawson 17 17 King Pelles 59 122 BA Chad Schofield Gareth van Zyl 18 18 Aladdin's Lamp 53 110 BA Calvin Habib Mike / Mathew de Kock 19 RR Choisaanada 58.5 121 A Reserve 1 Erico Verdonese 20 RR Curious Girl 52 100 A Reserve 2 Mike / Mathew de Kock

Indicates apprentice jockey #Indicates female jockey Records Only five horses have ever won the Durban July Handicap back-to-back. Campanajo (1897, 1898) Corriecrian (1907, 1908) Milesia Pride (1949, 1950)Milesia Pride (1949, 1950) El Picha (1999, 2000) Do It Again (2018, 2019)

A horse named Pamphlet won twice in 1918 and 1920.

Do It Again holds the record for the most appearances in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, with 6 runs (from 2018 to 2023). He is also the most decorated horse in the race, having won the race on two occasions, and never finishing out of the places.

Gondolier: Ran 5 races, finally winning the race in 1985 Beau Art: Ran 5 races and placed first in 1980 Flaming Rock won his first Durban July in 1991 and then ran in the race 3 times more before retiring.

Most wins by a trainer: Sydney C. Laird - 7 (1961, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1973, 1978) Terrance Millard - 6 (1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990) Justin Snaith - 6 (2008, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2026) Mike de Kock - 5 (2001, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2022) Dean Kannemeyer - 4 (2003, 2006, 2015, 2025) F. Murray - 4 (1910, 1911, 1912, 1913)

Trainer F. Murray won the race four years in a row from 1910 through 1913.

Most wins by a jockey: 5: Anton Marcus (1993, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2018) 4: Harold "Tiger" WrightHarold "Tiger" Wright (1942, 1947, 1949, 1955), Anthony Delpech (1998, 2004, 2010, 2011) Piere Strydom (2016, 2012, 2001, 1996), Richard Fourie (2014, 2019, 2020, 2026) 3: Bertie Hayden (1971, 1973, 1978), Felix Coetzee (1984, 1988, 1990).

Of note to North American racing fans, the 1963 race was won by Colorado King, who subsequently raced in California and won the 1964 Hollywood Gold Cup, plus set a world record for nine furlongs in winning the American Handicap at Hollywood Park Racetrack. As well, the 2002 winner, Ipi Tombe, became the first horse bred in Zimbabwe to ever win a race at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

In 2013, S'manga Khumalo became the first black African jockey to win the Vodacom Durban July when riding Heavy Metal to victory for trainer Sean Tarry.

In 2017, Candice Bass-Robinson became the first female trainer to win the Vodacom Durban July following the victory of Marinaresco. In 2021, Michelle Rix, along with her father Harold Crawford, became the second female trainer with the victory by Kommetdieding.

In 2021, Ashwin Reynolds became the first owner of colour to own a Vodacom Durban July winner following the victory of Kommetdieding.

Winners of the Durban July Handicap since 1978 Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer2026Note To Self3Richard FourieJustin Snaith2025The Real Prince4Craig ZackeyDean Kannemeyer2024Oriental Charm3JP van der MerweBrett Crawford2023Winchester Mansion4Kabelo MatsunyaneBrett Crawford2022Sparkling Water4S'manga KhumaloMike de Kock2021Kommetdieding3Gavin LerenaHarold Crawford & Michelle Rix2020Belgarion4Richard FourieJustin Snaith2019Do It Again4Richard FourieJustin Snaith2018Do It Again3Anton MarcusJustin Snaith2017Marinaresco 4Bernard Fayd'HerbeCandice Bass-Robinson2016The Conglomerate 4Piere StrydomJoey Ramsden2015Power King4Stuart RandolphDean Kannemayer2014Legislate3Richard FourieJustin Snaith2013Heavy Metal5S’manga Khumalo S G Tarry2012Pomodoro3Piere StrydomS G Tarry2011Igugu3Anthony DelpechMike de Kock2010Bold Silvano3Anthony DelpechMike de Kock2009Big City Life3G. CheyneGlen Kotzen2008Pocket Power/Dancer's Daughter5/4Bernard Fayd'herbe/Kevin SheaMike W. Bass/Justin Snaith2007Hunting Tower5Anton MarcusCharles S. Laird2006Eyeofthetiger4Gerrit SchlechterDean Kannermeyer2005Dunford5Anton MarcusMike W. Bass2004Greys Inn4Anthony DelpechMike de Kock2003Dynasty4Robbie FraddDean Kannemeyer2002Ipi Tombe4Kevin SheaMike de Kock2001Trademark5Piere StrydomMike W. Bass2000El Picha6Anton MarcusGeoff V. Woodruff1999El Picha5Robbie HillGeoff V. Woodruff1998Classic Flag4Anthony DelpechDavid Ferraris1997Super Quality5Michael RobertsDavid Ferraris1996London News4Piere StrydomAlec G. Laird1995Teal4Johnny GeroudisPatrick B. Shaw1994Space Walk6Robbie FraddM. H. "Ricky" Maingard1993Dancing Duel4Anton MarcusAnthony T. Millard1992Spanish Galliard8Robbie ShamDennis R. Drier1991Flaming Rock4Karl NeisiusR. Chris Snaith1990Ilustrador4Felix CoetzeeTerrance Millard1989Right Prerogative4M. A. SutherlandTerrance Millard1988Royal Chalice4Felix CoetzeeTerrance Millard1987Bush Telegraph4Garth PullerBert Abercrombie1986Occult5Bartie LeisherTerrance Millard1985Gondolier6W. HarveyM. P. Antelme1984Devon Air5Felix CoetzeeTerrance Millard1983Tecla Bluff5M. A. SutherlandTerrance Millard1982Jamaican Rumba5Patrick WynneG. Thompson1981Big Charles5J. AndersonDr. L. F. Naude1980Beau Art7Freddy MacaskillJ. Nicholson1979Over The Air5Garth PullerP. G. Kannemeyer1978Politician5Bertie HaydenSydney C. Laird

Winners from 1897 to 2026