61 race horses from 28 stables entered into Hollywoodbets Durban July
A powerful early lineup of South Africa’s finest thoroughbreds sets the scene for an electrifying 2025 edition of the country’s premier race in July.
South Africa.- Bettors get ready. With just over one month to go until Africa’s most anticipated horse race, the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July has galloped into gear with an impressive 61 entries from 28 top-tier stables, promising a fierce fight for one of the most coveted crowns in the sport.
With a R5-million ($275,000) purse and prestige on the line, the path to the starting gates at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 6 July is paved with dreams, strategy and serious firepower.
Multiple July-winning trainer Justin Snaith leads the charge with a whopping ten entries, including Eight On Eighteen, a brilliant three-year-old Grade 1 winner, and the progressive Okavango. Snaith is aiming for his sixth victory, which would equal Terrance Millard’s record and put him within striking distance of the legendary Syd Laird’s seven wins.
The Crawford stable is chasing a hat-trick of wins after triumphs in 2023 and 2024, and Oriental Charm returns to defend his title.
Alec Laird, whose family name is etched into the history books of the July, enters three top-class racehorses, led by Fire Attack, fresh from a stunning Grade 1 win in the Champions Challenge. The trainer’s ambition is to recapture July glory nearly three decades after London News stormed to victory.
Mike de Kock, now training alongside his son Matthew, has five entries in this year’s Durban July and is plotting a strategic path with rising contender Immediate Edge, while Sean Tarry, eyeing a return to the top, sends in the likes of SA Derby winner Legend Of Arthur and 2022 runner-up Cousin Casey.
Even international flair makes an appearance, with Tony Peter nominating The Equator, an Irish-bred son of Galileo, previously under the tutelage of racing icon Aidan O’Brien.
As Hollywoodbets Brand Manager Devin Heffer aptly put it: “The rocket has officially launched for this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July… the real stars of the show come to the fore.”
With more supplementary stages ahead, the final 18-horse field is yet to be decided, but if the opening salvo is anything to go by, this year’s race is already shaping up to be a blockbuster. But in the meantime, bettors can scour through this year’s entrants and decide for themselves where to place their bets.
