The Durban July Handicap race is the most celebrated horse racing event on the South African calendar. Its very name describes the venue where the race will happen and the month it will happen in. Horse racing enthusiasts love the event for the same reason they enjoy any other—there's nothing quite like the sight and sound of the thundering hooves of 1,000-pound animals galloping around a green field. And the race is a spectacle, not only for the equine athletes but also for the human ones, both on and off the course.
Take part in the Durban July betting with the thousands of punters from South Africa. The one-day horse racing event will happen on the 6th of July at the Greyville Racecourse in Durban. If you can't make it to the event in person, catch a live stream of the competition online. Bet on the July horse race to bring in some awesome rewards at the best horse racing sites in South Africa.
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Durban July 2025 Predictions
The Vodacom Durban July 2025 is shaping up to be quite an event, scheduled for Saturday, 1 July, at the iconic Greyville Racecourse in Durban. Sparkling Water will be back to defend his title after taking the win in the last edition, and trainer Khumalo will no doubt be hoping to see his horse become a two-time champ!
Fans are focused on the 2025 Durban July, and two of the horses everyone is keeping an eye on are Jet Dark, who was last year's runner-up, and Safe Passage, who finished in third with jockey Muzi Yeni.
The anticipation is high with the Vodacom Durban July 2025 just around the corner. Looking ahead to the race, many expect Do It Again to be a serious contender after finishing outside the top three in the last edition, but still showing consistent form. Other potential contenders include Lerena's Kommetdieding, Merwe's Asterix, Fourie's Pomp and Power, as well as Van Niekirk's Linebacker.
Durban July 2025 Favourites & Key Contenders
Durban July 2025 promises to be a highly competitive edition with a mix of established champions and rising stars. Speculation has already begun among fans and betting enthusiasts as to which horses will come out on top at the Greyville racecourse in July.
It is important to identify the favorites that not only provide value to the bettor, but also help the racing enthusiast understand how a horse's past performance, current form and track conditions affect not only the horse itself, but all the runners in a race. We highlight both the front-runners and the horses lurking in the background that could very well upset the race.
Top Horses to Watch
Several high-profile runners with a track record of excellence in Greyville are in the early markets. They all have different types of strengths that make them contenders in the race, ranging from tactical speed to late-race power.
These horses are likely to draw the shortest odds, as they have consistently produced high results and are backed by respected trainers and jockeys.
- Jet Dark – last year’s runner-up, known for his strong finishing kick and consistency at Greyville.
- Safe Passage – reliable across 2000–2200m, thrives when the pace is solid and well-judged.
- Do It Again – a veteran with back-to-back Durban July victories in 2018 and 2019; still capable of a big run.
- Kommetdieding – a past champion, carrying strong cruising speed and tactical versatility.
Dark Horses & Value Picks
Not every headline favorite wins the Durban July. In fact, over the past decade, several underdogs have taken the top honors, surprising more than a few. These underdog victories more than pay back those who picked them early.
These runners may not be the ones the oddsmakers are betting on, but they certainly have the potential to place - and possibly even upset - given their racing style, recent form and the fact that they probably fit the Greyville track. Here are three that fit that profile.
- Asterix – improving form and stamina at longer trips make him one to watch if the pace is steady.
- Linebacker – consistent top-level performer, often underestimated in early markets.
- Pomp and Power – aggressive style can unsettle the field if the tempo suits; dangerous on his day.
The history of the event shows that they do not always dominate in Greyville - the pre-race favorites, that is. And while backing a perceived sure thing is always nice, finding value among dark horses and lesser-known contenders is even better. That means using your head and spotting non-obvious potential winners.
Durban July History
The Vodacom Durban July is a South African horse racing event held each year in Durban. But it's more than just a sporting event—it's also an opportunity for people to express their fashion sense and for designers to showcase their work. With the 2025 edition just around the corner, we can expect to see some amazing looks from the attendees.
The Vodacom Durban July is one of the largest equestrian occasions in South Africa and is held annually, on the first Saturday of July, at Greyville Racecourse. Since its inception in 1897, only five horses have managed to win it back-to-back: Campanajo (1897, 1898), Corriecrian (1907, 1908), Milesia Pride (1949, 1950), El Picha (1999, 2000) and Do It Again (2018, 2019). The next double winner of the Vodacom Durban July will happen in 2025!
Ante Post Betting for Durban July
SA bookmakers post ante‑post odds on the Durban July; value varies by firm. Our sampling of South African bookmakers showcases the optimal betting lines on the horses that will run in this prestigious race. While the jockeys vie for the grand prize of R4.25 million, the potential payouts can reach several million Rands. The betting pool is progressive, which means successful selections on the winning horse can yield exceptionally high returns.
Ante-Post Odds — Leading SA Bookmakers
Snapshot as of . Update lines and timestamp regularly.
| Horse | Bookmaker A | Bookmaker B | Bookmaker C | Implied %* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jet Dark | 4.50 | 4.80 | 4.60 | ~21.5% |
| Safe Passage | 6.00 | 6.50 | 6.00 | ~16.5% |
| Kommetdieding | 7.50 | 8.00 | 7.00 | ~13.5% |
| Do It Again | 13.00 | 15.00 | 12.00 | ~7.5% |
| Sparkling Water | 17.00 | 19.00 | 17.00 | ~5.5% |
*Implied % ≈ 1/odds (decimal), без учёта букмекерской маржи.
Note: odds are illustrative. Replace with current postings from licensed SA bookmakers; check market moves after final declarations & barrier draw.
Durban July 2025 Horses
The victor of the 2018 edition of the July horse race was Do It Again, trained by Justin Snaith and ridden by jockey Anton Marcus. He also claimed victory in 2019, making him one of the few back-to-back winners in the history of the race.
The most anticipated race of the year, however, is the July Handicap. Many horses undergo a rigorous qualification process before being allowed to compete in this particular event. In total, there are 10 races that make up the qualification phase for the Durban July Handicap. The way those races go has a major impact on how the sportsbooks set the odds for the actual event, which takes place on the first Saturday of July.
Recent Results — Last 5 Starts
Form guide (most recent on the left). Replace placeholders with official results.
| Horse | Form (last 5) | Last Run & Grade | Trip Suitability | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jet Dark | 2-3-1-5-2 | 2nd, G1 ~1600–2000m | 2000–2200m ✔ | Strong late kick; peak ratings hold. |
| Safe Passage | 3-4-2-6-1 | 3rd, G1 2000m | 2000–2200m ✔ | Consistent at Greyville; needs pace. |
| Do It Again | 6-5-4-2-3 | 6th, G1 2200m | 2200m ✔/age | Veteran class; place claims stronger than win. |
| Kommetdieding | 4-2-3-1-2 | 4th, G1 2000m | 2000–2200m ✔ | High cruising speed; needs clean trip. |
| Sparkling Water | 5-7-3-1-4 | 5th, G2 2000m | 2200m ✔ | Stays well; prefers truly-run race. |
Betting Tips for the July 2025
Since 1998, 60% of the winners of the Durban July Handicap have been three-year-old horses, with four-year-old horses also winning quite a few times—a good success rate, in both cases. But, despite that strong tendency in the age of the winners, this is not a race in which the favorites perform strongly; in the last fourteen years, only three pre-race favorites have managed to secure victory.
The current amount of prize money for the Durban July is as follows: R5 million, which is up from R4.25 million in 2021. This increase might spur on some underdog horses to perform above their expected levels.
- Non-Runner
- with eight races and lots of horses vying for victory, it's imperative that punters watch for any potential non-runners before they place their bet. Horses sometimes withdraw from the race just before the off, and this can have a big effect on the odds of the other competitors, which should be considered when making any betting decision.
- Condition of the Track
- Rainfall is usually a feature of July in this part of the world; it can be quite copious and tend to hang around for a while, rainfall that affects the track and affects the performance of both horses and jockeys. In the bad weather, some horses are as sure-footed as ever; others are a different story.
- Jockey
Draw & Distance Impact (Greyville 2200m)
Indicative trends. Replace percentages with analysis from the last 10 editions.
| Stall (Draw) — Win/Place Rates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Draw Range | Win % | Place % |
| 1–5 (Inside) | ~24% | ~48% |
| 6–10 (Middle) | ~18% | ~42% |
| 11–16 (Wide) | ~10% | ~28% |
| Pace & Trip Considerations | |
|---|---|
| Run Style | Front-runners can be vulnerable late; stalkers/closers fare better when early pace is strong. |
| Track | Greyville’s turn & short straight magnify draw/position; saving ground is valuable. |
| Distance (2200m) | True stayers advantaged if pace is honest; sectionals around 600m–400m key. |
Tip: downgrade wide draws unless horse has tactical speed or proven ability to slot in early.
List of Past Winners of the Durban July Handicap
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | The Real Prince |
| 2024 | Oriental Charm |
| 2023 | Winchester Mansion |
| 2022 | Sparkling Water |
| 2021 | Kommetdieding |
| 2020 | Belgarion |
| 2019 | Do It Again |
| 2018 | Do It Again |
| 2017 | Marinaresco |
| 2016 | The Conglomerate |
| 2015 | Power King |
| 2014 | Legislate |
| 2013 | Heavy Metal |
| 2012 | Pomodoro |
| 2011 | Igugu |
| 2010 | Bold Silvano |
| 2009 | Big City Life |
| 2008 | Pocket Power / Dancer’s Daughter |