It’s uncertain times but Gold Circle are all systems go for the 2020 SA Champions Season which will commence provisionally on 3 May with the running of the R85 000 Listed Kwazulu Natal Stakes.
7 days after his 1920 July win Pamphlet concedes 52 lb to the smart stayer Tower Bridge in the Berea Handicap over 2 miles at Greyville (photo: Form Organisation)
The first significant day will be the running of the colts and fillies Guineas and the traditional season launch-pad, the R175 000 Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes on 31 May.
The Gr1 Vodacom Durban July, with an advertised stake of R1,5 million, remains the richest race of the SA Champions Season, and will be run on the last Saturday in July, as opposed to the traditional first.
See the SA Champions Season feature programme here
Given the recent realities that racing faces, the stake drops from the R4,25 million gross of last year and is back to the same level as when won by Dynasty in 2003. But despite the reduced value, it’s a race of great prestige and one that every owner wants to win.
The July, as we know it today, was first run in 1897 over 1600m for a stake of 500 sovereigns and named The Durban Turf Club Handicap.
While we are used to it being run on the first Saturday in July, in 1897 it was run on 17 July, the third Saturday that month. This year it is programmed for the last Saturday.
In 1899 the stake was increased to £1000. It has undergone a few rollercoaster rides over the years.
1959 July winner – Tiger Fish (Janus – Fisherman’s Prayer)
In 1903 the stake jumped to £1250 and it was the first year that an official time was taken – Henry Nourse’s chestnut filly Peerless won it in 1 min 42.5 seconds.
In 1904 the stake was £1500. In 1906 it decreased to £1000 again.
In 1917 the race was filmed for the first time and the stake increased to £1250 again.
It went up to £1775 in 1918 and £2125 in 1919, and climbed steadily after that.
By 1926 the stake was £4000 and went up by £1000 in 1927.
Post the second world war in 1946 the stake was now up to £7500, and jumped dramatically to £10 000 in 1947.
1975 Gr1 Rothmans July Handicap
Rothmans of Pall Mall joined as a sponsor in 1963 and the prize money was R33 800.
Fast forward 27 years, in 1990 the stake was pushed up to R1 million. It was also the first year the race was run as ‘The Rothmans July’ – not the Rothmans July Handicap.
In 1999 it went to R1,25 million and then, according to our records, dropped to R1,125 million in 2001 and then further to R1 million in 2002 – the first year of Vodacom.
In 2003 it was upped to R1,5 million and then increased to R2 million the following year.
In 2008 it was run for R3 million and increased to R3,5 million in 2013.
This year will be Vodacom’s 19th sponsorship of Africa’s Greatest Race.
Chimboraa -1968 Gr1 Rothmans Durban July Handicap
