BLOGGING THE VIEW: Fierce contenders and fashion at this year's Durban July
The thundering hooves, roaring crowds, and array of high fashion will once again take over Durban's Greyville Racecourse this Saturday, 5 July, for the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July.
With a R5-million purse, the field is packed with elite thoroughbreds, with this year's race promising to be one for the history books.
1. The favourite
Topping the charts in this year's race is Eight of Eighteen, the three-year-old colt from trainer Justin Snaith's stable and ridden by champion jockey Richard Fourie.
Coming in at 14/10 odds, this horse has been virtually unstoppable in 2025, boasting wins at the Cape Town Met, the SplashOut Cape Derby, and the Daily News 2000.
His entry into the Durban July was the subject of speculation, with some concern over the hefty 57kg weight, the heaviest for a three-year-old since Abashiri in 2016. But with a decent draw of 11 and momentum like no other, Eight of Eighteen is primed to make history as the first three-year-old to win both the Cape Town Met and the Durban July in the same year.
2. The challenger
Last year's winner, Oriental Charm, is not backing down. Trained by James Crawford and piloted by JP van der Merwe, he's drawn pole position (Gate 1) with 11/2 odds. While he finished seventh in the King's Plate earlier this year, he bounced back with solid second-place finishes in both the Cape Town Met and the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge.
3. Rising star
Coming in at 7/1 odds, Immediate Edge – who is trained by Mike and Mathew de Kock – is a serious contender. With four wins from six starts and carrying a light 53kg, the three-year-old colt will be ridden by Callan Murray. However, he's untested at sea level, with all victories coming at Turffontein, adding a layer of mystery to his race-day prospects.
4. Other horses to watch
· See It Again: Trained by Michael Roberts and racing in the same colours as Eight of Eighteen, he's making his third appearance, following a second-place in 2023 and an unlucky fifth in 2024
· The Real Prince: With a win at the Jet Master Stakes and trained by Dean Kannemeyer, this horse drew gate five and is expected to show up strong
· Atticus Finch: Trained by Alec Laird and winner of the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup, he enters from gate four and will be one to watch
· Confederate: A promising entry for trainer Fabian Habib, this gelding has never placed lower than second and will be ridden by Warren Kennedy
· Rainbow Lorikeet: The only filly in the race, this classy contender from Candice Bass Robinson's stable drew well at gate seven
5. Fashion from the 'Marvels of Mzansi'
While the turf sets the stage for equine excellence, the Hollywoodbets Durban July is also the runway for the fashion elite. This year's theme, 'Marvels of Mzansi' will ignite creative brilliance. Audiences can look out for:
· Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars
· Top 10 Young Designer Award finalists
· Invited designers, including crowd favourite Khosi Nkosi
· Gateway's heavyweights like Boss, Fabiani, Forever New, and YDE
If you can't make it to Greyville, SuperSport on DStv offers a front-row seat to all the action, from the heart-racing finishes to the head-turning outfits.
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