Glamour on the track: Boity Thulo, Carol Ofori and Jessica Nkosi dazzle at Hollywoodbets Durban July 2025
Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers
The much-anticipated Hollywoodbets Durban July (HDJ) 2025 took place on Saturday, July 5, at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse.
This year's event was not just a spectacle for horse racing aficionados but also a vibrant celebration of fashion, culture, and camaraderie that drew a star-studded crowd, offering a truly unforgettable experience.
Carol Ofori at the Sinayo Hospitality Marquee wearing a dress from Sibu Msimang.
Image: ZamaNdosi Cele
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From the moment the gates opened, the atmosphere was electrifying. Attendees from all walks of life arrived dressed in their finest, setting the tone for a day packed with glamour.
Celebrities reigned supreme on the grounds, showcasing a breathtaking array of haute couture that left onlookers in awe. Bright colours, intricate designs and striking accessories were the order of the day, with many men and women turning the racecourse into a catwalk of elegance and style.
Celebrities like Carol Ofori, Jessica Nkosi and Boity Thulo came prepared for this prestigious event.
Ofori, who was dressed by Sibu Msimang, noted: " The Proteas have just won a test championship, so we are celebrating the marvels that are The Proteas. They have made history, so why not?"
When asked what the HDJ means to her, she said: "It's a fun day, socialising, eating, drinking day and seeing people I haven't seen in a very long time. And betting on some horses and making some money."
The radio personality said she was excited to see Somizi, noting: "I saw Somgaga arriving in a gorgeous dress. I believe there is a performance later on. I'm looking forward to that."
Jessica Nkosi at the Hollywoodbets Champions Suite. Her outfit is inspired by our national flower, the protea.
Image: Supplied
When it came to fashion, Nkosi didn't miss a beat in sticking to the theme.
As a "Marvel of Mzansi", her dress was inspired by South Africa's national flower, the Protea. As a Hollywoodbets influencer, she said the HDJ is a beautiful space with different people with different interests come together.
'If you love fashion, you can come. If you love sports you can come. If you love horses, music and food, you can come,' she said. She noted that what made this year's event different was an increase in interest and excitement in the event.
Thulo, also inspired by the Protea flower, revealed that when it comes to the HDJ, comfort is a priority for her.
Wearing a glittering short dress by Otiz Seflo, she noted: "When you come to the Durban July, there is a lot of walking around so for me comfort comes first. I want to be able to move comfortably. And also, it's a long evening so you don't want to be feeling overwhelmed."
The HDJ has become synonymous with flamboyant fashion, but this year it elevated the bar even higher.
Notably, the marquee setups added a chic layer to the event, with beautifully designed spaces that provided a refuge from the sun. Guests mingled in lavish settings adorned with floral displays and comfortable seating, indulging in gourmet catering as they prepared for the thrilling races.
Mduduzi Mkhize, the project coordinator of the Executive Concerts Marquee, a marquee that's making its debut this year, said: "We felt like we needed to also showcase another side of what Durban is.
"The city is vast, and it's different. We wanted to bring in a little bit of culture and bring in a little Zulu-ness and a little bit of sassiness. We wanted to show people how luxury and culture can mix."
As the horses thundered down the track, the cheers from the crowd echoed throughout the racecourse. The day featured not only thrilling races but also live entertainment that kept the spirit high.
With music pumping and laughter ringing out, attendees were drawn into a festive atmosphere that celebrated both the sport and the social fabric of Mzansi.
In essence, this year's event reaffirmed its status as a pinnacle event in the South African calendar, blending the thrill of horse racing with the flair of fashion.
It is an experience that celebrates community, sport and style in equal measure, leaving a lasting impression that attendees will carry into the years to come.
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Fradd 2002 Ipi Tombe M De Kock K Shea 2001 Trademark M W Bass P Strydom 2000 El Picha G Woodruff A Marcus 1999 El Picha G Woodruff R Hill 1998 Classic Flag D E Ferraris A Delpech 1997 Super Quality D E Ferraris M Roberts 1996 London News A Laird P Strydom 1995 Teal P B Shaw J Geroudis 1994 Space Walk M H Maingard R Fradd 1993 Dancing Duel A T Millard A Marcus 1992 Spanish Galliard D R Drier R Sham 1991 Flaming Rock R C Snaith K Neisius 1990 Illustrador T M Millard F Coetzee 1989 Right Prerogative T M Millard M Sutherland 1988 Royal Chalice T M Millard D Coetzee 1987 Bush Telegraph B Abercrombie G Puller 1986 Occult T M Millard B Leisher 1985 Gondolier M P Antelme W Harvey 1984 Devon Air T M Millard D Coetzee 1983 Tecla Bluff T M Millard M Sutherland 1982 Jamaican Rumba G M Thompson P Wynne 1981 Big Charles Dr L F Naude J Anderson 1980 Beau Art J Nicholson F Macaskill 1979 Over The Air P Kannemeyer G Puller 1978 Politician S Laird B Hayden 1977 Lightning Shot D G Rich D Mustard 1976 Jamaican Music R J Rixon B Abercrombie 1975 Principal Boy J Breval R Thompson 1974 Riboville G Azzie M Schoeman 1973 Yataghan S Laird B Hayden 1972 In Full Flight D Payne R Rhodes 1971 Mazarin S Laird B Hayden 1970 Court Day R T Knight C Maree 1969 Naval Escort F Rickaby A Reid 1968 Chimboraa B A Cherry D Payne =1967 Jollify F Rickaby J Gorton =1967 Sea Cottage S Laird R Sivewright 1966 Java Head S Laird H Cawcutt 1965 King Willow J Breval I Bailey 1964 Numeral G Azzie R Rhodes 1963 Colorado King S Laird R Sivewright 1962 Diza J H Gorton A Roberts 1961 Kerason S Laird G Walker 1960 Left Wing S Garrett P Cayeux 1959 Tiger Fish T Furness B Little 1958 Excise W Cawcutt H Cawcutt 1957 Migraine F J Chappell H Passmoore 1956 Spey Bridge H Amos C Buckham 1955 Pretos Crown G Azzie H Wright 1954 C'est Si Bon D Labistour J Byrnes 1953 Flash On W E Huckell J Westwater 1952 Mowgli G A Ellis B Lewis 1951 Gay Jane D Labistour V Mcmurtry 1950 Milesia Pride J Morrison B Lewis 1949 Milesia Pride J Morrison H Wright 1948 Monasterevan E Shaw C Buckham 1947 Brookhill T J H Potgieter H Wright 1946 St Pauls D Talbert H Foster 1945 St Seiriol C L Longhurst H Butler 1944 Monteith C B Clutterbuck H Berry 1943 Piccadilly Jim C E Wade H Feldman 1942 Silver Phantom E Shaw H Wright 1941 Sadri Ii S Garrett S Amos 1940 Kipling A E Cruickshank A Gorton 1939 Silver Spear L Howe H Feldman 1938 Extinguisher W Krog C Barends 1937 Ballyjamesduff J Azzie G Masterson 1936 Petersfield E Shaw L Fernandez 1935 Eccentric A Rowe G Askew 1934 Sun Tor J Angles A Rugg 1933 Legacy P C Henwood E Lariviere 1932 Findhorn E Ryan S Johnson 1931 Agrippa W Pickering R De Valle 1930 Full Dress S Garrett H Amos 1929 Gifted W Jackson G Lariviere 1928 Glen Albyn G S Weale A Herschell 1927 Hussein C E Wade G Gorton 1926 Moosme W Knapp E Jacobie 1925 Bird Of Prey W Randall I Strydom 1924 Oriel E Ryan J Lieveaux 1923 Eunomea J Russell J Otto 1922 Collet J Gard F Mcgrath 1921 Longstop G S Weale L Fernandez 1920 Pamphlet J Russell S Garrett 1919 Goldwing J Russell S Garrett 1918 Pamphlet J Russell C Bowles 1917 Fanous P R Little W Crew 1916 Margin A C Townsend W Clements 1915 Winnipeg H De Mestre R Forsyth 1914 Rhanleigh W Randall R Dine 1913 Caged Bird F Murray W Crew 1912 Lombard F Murray I Strydom 1911 Nobleman F Murray A Laird 1910 Sir Caulin F Murray E Hardy 1909 King's Favourite H De Mestre C Clark 1908 Corriecrian F Wade W Pickering 1907 Corriecrian F Wade C Yarnell 1906 Bonnie Dundee W Pickering W Pickering 1905 Chere Amie R Wootton J Mclaughlan 1904 Nymagee W Meredith W Clements 1903 Peerless John White J White 1902 Chaos W Henwood G Bowker 1901 Apollo H C Croon C Macdonald 1900 Verdant Green H C Croon C Macdonald 1899 Talma Hw Taylor J Boardman 1898 Campanajo E Murray G Skirving 1897 Campanajo E Murray R Scott 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 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