First entries for the 2025 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July are due on Friday 25 April and will be unveiled at the Hollywoodbets Greyville racemeeting later the same day.
The 129th renewal of Africa’s premier horseracing and social event will be held on Saturday 5 July at its historic home.
Eight On Eighteen (Muzi Yeni) and Sail The Seas (Andrew Fortune) stretch out well (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Prior to the KZN racemeeting on Sunday, a few SA Champions Season contenders stepped out, including Justin Snaith’s Met and Derby winner Eight On Eighteen, and Cape Derby runner-up Sail The Seas, who has been labelled a ‘huge campaigner’ this season by the champion yard.
The Snaiths confirmed to the Sporting Post that Eight On Eighteen and Sail The Seas will be nominated in both the KZN Guineas and the Drill Hall Stakes on the Champions Season launch raceday, Saturday 3 May.
“There was little separating Sail the Seas and Eight on Eighteen during this grass gallop. Eight on Eighteen was positioned just off his companion, Sail the Seas, but he quickly moved up to work alongside him. Both horses ran strongly to the finish, with jockeys Muzi Yeni and Andrew Fortune keeping a tight hold on them throughout. After the workout, Eight on Eighteen was breathing heavily and will benefit from this experience, which should help him improve significantly. Both colts will be nominated for the IOS Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes and WSB Gr2 KZN Guineas and the connections will make a decision after draws are announced,” added Justin Snaith.
Muzi Yeni and Justin Snaith enjoy a bit of banter at Sunday’s gallops (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Entries for the opening Champion Season racemeeting close at 11h00 on Tuesday 22 April, with weights published the same day.
Supplementary entries are due by 11h00 on Friday 25 April, with declarations closing at 11h00 on Tuesday 29 April.
The 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July theme is ‘Marvels of Mzansi’, which celebrates South Africa’s rich heritage, cultural diversity, and breath-taking landscapes, paying tribute to the nation’s extraordinary achievements.
Tickets for the event are now on sale – find out more.
Have a look at what’s happening at Hollywoodbets Greyville:
