Hollywoodbets Durban July: Jockeys confirmed
The list of jockeys for the 130th renewal of the Hollywoodbets Durban July to be run on Saturday, 5 July has been confirmed. Image: Cape Racing
The all-important list of jockeys for the 130th renewal of the Hollywoodbets Durban July to be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 5 July has been confirmed.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Grade 1 race over 2 200m will go off at 16:00.
JP van der Merwe will return to ride defending champion Oriental Charm for James Crawford.
Meanwhile, champion South African jockey Richard Fourie will be aboard Eight On Eighteen for trainer Justin Snaith and owners Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert.
Fourie is gunning for a fourth Hollywoodbets Durban July title having previously won aboard Belgarion (2020), Do It Again (2019) and Legislate (2014).
ADVERTISEMENT
Other previous winners of the race who will ride in this year's race include Gavin Lerena (Madison Valley), S'manga Khumalo (On My Honour) and Kabelo Matsunyane (Purple Pitcher).
RELATED | Every previous Hollywoodbets Durban July winner since 1897 Horse Jockey Eight on Eighteen (11) Richard Fourie Oriental Charm (1) JP van der Merwe Immediate Edge (10) Callan Murray See It Again (15) Raymond Danielson The Real Prince (5) Craig Zackey Gladatorian (16) Sean Veale Selukwe (6) Serino Moodley Royal Victory (17) Muzi Yeni Okavango (13) Andrew Fortune Atticus Finch (4) Calvin Habib Confederate (14) Warren Kennedy Native Ruler (18) Tristan Godden Madison Valley (2) Gavin Lerena My Best Shot (9) Chase Maujean On My Honour (3) S'manga Khumalo Purple Pitcher (12) Kableo Matsunyane Pomodoro's Jet (8) Athandiwe Mgudlwa Rainbow Lorikeet (7) Diego de Gouveia Reserve runners Litigation (19) Reserve 1 Son Of Raj (20) Reserve 2
NOTE: Barrier draw in brackets
Final field revealed
There was a collective sigh of relief within the gathered crowd in the Hollywoodbets Greyville parade ring when the name of Eight On Eighteen was read out by Graeme Hawkins as being among the 18 runners for the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday, 5 July.
Trainer Justin Snaith was always cagey about whether his star colt would take his place in the line-up, given that he would carry top weight for a three-year-old of 57kg – the highest since Abashiri lumped 59kg into 13th place behind The Conglomerate in 2016.
But Snaith and owners Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert have taken the plunge and Eight On Eighteen will make history should he win and become the first three-year-old in history to win the Grade 1 WSB Cape Town Met and the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July in the same year
Eight On Eighteen is also likely to start one of the shortest priced favourites in the 129-year history of the race and his chances were further enhanced when he was drawn 11 in the 18-horse field.
'Would be an emotional win'
James Crawford has two runners in the race, last year's winner Oriental Charm who drew pole position, and Pomodoro's Jet who drew eight. It would be an emotional win for James Crawford, who recently took over his father's string with Brett now plying his trade in Hong Kong.
See It Again races in the same Nick Jonsson silks as Eight On Eighteen and has his third attempt after finishing second to Winchester Mansion two years back and an unlucky fifth last year behind Oriental Charm. He pulled a wide draw of 15.
Stuart Ferrie sends out his first July runner in the hard-knocking Gladatorian. A fast-finishing third behind Dave The King and Oriental Charm in the Gold Challenge, he also drew a wide gate of 16.
Dean Kannemeyer knows what it takes to train a July winner, successful with Dynasty, Eyeofthetiger and Power King, and The Real Prince drew gate five.
Royal Victory will have his supporters but Nathan Kotzen's charge drew deep at 17. However, he is a winner of the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup and the Grade 1 Champion Challenge at Turffontein and finished third in the July last year behind Oriental Charm.
Fabian Habib has his first July runner in Confederate. Relatively lightly raced, the gelding has won four of his nine starts but has never finishing further back than second. He won the Grade 1 SA Classic, beating subsequent Grade 1 Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack, and will be ridden by two-time South African and current New Zealand champion jockey Warren Kennedy who has made the trip to ride in the race. He drew gate 14.
'Stellar record'
Mike de Kock has a stellar record in this race and has joined forces with his son Mathew. They have their first July runner together in the three-year-old and recent Grade 3 Jubilee Stakes winner Immediate Edge. He carries bottom weight for a three-year-old male of 53kg and has won four of his six starts to date. He drew alongside Eight On Eighteen in gate 10.
Snaith has two other runners in the race, namely Okavango and the one-time winner Native Ruler. Okavango will be ridden by Andrew Fortune and drew 13 while Tristan Godden will have to navigate Native Ruler from gate 18.
Alec Laird and jockey Calvin Habib pin their hopes on Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch who drew favourably in four.
Andre Nel was first up to do the draw for Selukwe and came out with gate six. Serino Moodley will be doing the honours on Selukwe.
Alan Greeff will fly the colours for the Eastern Cape with his star performer My Best Shot who has a midfield draw of nine.
Local owner Sid Moodley has his first July runner in Madison Valley and he drew gate two for his trainer Frank Robinson.
Rainbow Lorikeet is the only filly in the race and Candice Bass Robinson's runner drew well in seven and will have Diego de Gouveia aboard.
Have you ever attended the Hollywoodbets Durban July?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
40 minutes ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Ouaddou talks Mbule and Saleng to stay?
Orlando Pirates have ushered in a new era following the announcement of former Marumo Gallants gaffer Abdeslam Ouaddou. The Moroccan manager has some big shoes to fill following the departure of Jose Riveiro, who won five trophies in three years at the club. Ouaddou will have the complex task of not only introducing his playing style to the squad but also has to merge an array of new signings with established Buccaneers. The latest arrival is Mamelodi Sundowns man Sipho Mbule, which has Orlando Pirates' new coach seemingly excited for the future. In an interview during his Gallants days, he told Radio947, 'Another player, I love him [Mbule], his style of play.' 'And I know that maybe his behaviour is not so good, but I think it's a question of management. These players need management, somebody to be close to them.' 'To make them understand that they are good players, but they have to manage their lifestyle – it's Mbule.' 'Mbule is a fantastic player, it's the kind of player I'd like to have in my team.' Monnapule Saleng's future at Orlando Pirates remains one of South African soccer's greatest mysteries. The 27-year-old hasn't featured since last December but was spotted in training for the first time in four months towards the latter end of the 2024/25 campaign. If Ouaddou wants the Bloemhof native, there's every reason to believe he could help rekindle the player-club relationship. Often a coach introducing a new ethos, ideology and playing style is the remedy to forgetting the past. The newly crowned manager is yet to comment on Saleng. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Mofokeng transfer latest and red flag signing
Orlando Pirates have reportedly signed Richards Bay striker Yanela Mbuthuma, who converted five goals in the league last season. The place of origin and scoring tally have raised concerns for ex-Buccaneer Moeneeb Josephs over the club's signing of the 23-year-old. 'Why are we looking for players from clubs that are not above the top eight [small teams]? No offence to the player that we have signed,' Josephs told SoccerBeat . 'Look at how many goals he scored last season: he scored six goals in 27 games. However, no offence to him, but how many games did he start? So, that's like one goal every six games, pardon me if my math is off.' 'But my mind is telling me that we should be looking at the big boys [from big clubs]. We should look inside the top eight teams because outside of the top eight, there's nothing.' Meanwhile, the arrival of Abdeslam Ouaddou has Orlando Pirates fans wondering whether Monnapule Saleng will be willing to remain at the club. The 27-year-old is heavily linked with an offseason move, albeit no clubs currently showing interest. The same can't be said for Relebohile Mofokeng, who has several clubs interested including Al Ahly, and most recently, MLS side FC Cincinnati. Whether the 20-year-old wants to leave is another question, but if his father's comments are anything to go by, it seems a winter exit is likely. 'My biggest wish is to see Rele overseas in 2025/2026. I'm praying every day. I don't want to see him in the Betway Premiership again this season. I know God will answer my prayers.' '[Whether it's in] Spain, England, Netherlands, France, Denmark, Switzerland — Rele can play. I believe that with all my heart. Take him to Barcelona? He can play. PSG? He can play. Any country. I'll be happy — but not Saudi Arabia,' he added. 'Not yet. He's still young. He needs to compete in UEFA competitions. If he goes to Saudi now, he won't experience that. Yes, he'd be rich — but happiness is more important. You can have all the money in the world, but if you're not happy, it's worthless.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
an hour ago
- Eyewitness News
'A tragedy for the jazz community': Legendary SA trumpeter Feya Faku dies on tour in Switzerland
Tributes are pouring in for Feya Faku after the legendary South African jazz musician died on Monday while on tour in Switzerland. The trumpeter and flugelhornist was just 63 years old. Born in the Eastern Cape, Faku had built up an international reputation. He is being remembered as the 'gentle giant' of African jazz. A statement from the Faku family confirmed the musician's death, saying he had 'peacefully passed away in his sleep' in the Swiss city, Basel. Jazz show host Nothemba Madumo recalls the fond memories she has of the last time she saw Faku, which was two months ago in April at the International Jazz Day celebration hosted by 702.
