Five moments that shaped the Durban July

you can read the full article at the link below

www.thoroughbredracing.com/articles/five...e-legacy-great-race/

Mowgli’s 1952 Natal winter season sweep

The G. A. Ellis-trained Mowgli’s narrow victory in a sensational renewal was the highlight of a winter season in which he claimed five other G1s in 12 weeks.

The two minutes of the Durban July became an intense showdown as Mowgli went head to head with the robust Radlington down the home stretch.

What made Mowgli’s story so extraordinary is that he achieved his career-defining feats after an operation for respiratory issues.

Sea Cottage’s dead-heat with Jollify in 1967

Sea Cottage is perhaps South Africa’s most famous racehorse, and certainly his dead-heat in the 1967 Durban July is among the most cherished memories of the race.

Sea Cottage was already a phenomenon before forcing a dead-heat in a fierce battle with Jollify, to whom he was conceding 20 pounds more than weight for age. Starting at 11-10, he became the longest-priced winning favorite of the Durban July.
Millard’s 1986 Durban July dominion

Terrance Millard became the first South African trainer to earn more than R2 million ($131,000) in a season when he saddled the first three home in the 1986 Durban July. But it was the least favored of the trio, Occult, who triumphed, with the apparently more fancied Fools Holme and Enchanted Garden following him home in that order.
A sick horse and a host of records

There were milestones galore after the 25th running. Attendance and tote figures were records, and the race produced the first 3-year-old winner since 1973.

That was Bush Telegraph, who had been racing only against horses of his own age - and had suffered from pneumonia during the build-up to the race. Experts predicted Bush Telegraph would be unable to handle the distance, but the colt rose to the challenge with an impressive 1¼ length win in a record time of 2 minutes 13.5 seconds.

A victory for democracy!

The result of the 2004 Durban July was an emotional one for many South African racegoers. Aptly themed ‘Over the Rainbow’, this edition coincided with the celebration of 10 years of democracy in the country. As such, the No.10 horse was chosen to wear the South African flag on its saddle.

Although this honor was bestowed upon an American-bred horse, Greys Inn, he nevertheless made fans proud when he delivered a stellar winning run from just outside the 200-metre mark.

Wonderful stuff

Naresh is this an accurate article

Bob according to my knowledge and google

Mowgli - It did win 6 races in space of about two months but dont know if it was all Grade 1's

Sea Cottage - More like shortest-priced favorite at that time

Bush Telegraph - Raced in a B Division Race during the winter season against older horses over 1200m

When I was reading about Mowgli, came about a wonder filly called, Kings Pact, which incidentally has a race named after her.

During her 2yo older season she beat older horses twice, once in a sprint feature, and the other in the Clairwood Winter Handicap, what is known has the Champions Cup now, and in 80's 90's the Mainstay International.

Truly remarkable for a 2yo filly

Cheers Naresh , reads good but always a bit wary when folk miss the Met from the list of SA big races

Bush Telegraph holds the distinction of going into the July unbeaten although he lost a GR1 at Scottsville to Main Man but won it in the boardroom due to a successful objection.

He also sired the great London News, a winner of the July under Pierre Strydom and Bush Telegraph was trained by late Bert Abercrombie who rode July winner Jamaican Music to victory.