Massive Stakes Increases & Durban July Has New Sponsor!

A race with a rich and proud history of being contested by generations of champions of the turf over 125 years, and internationally acknowledged as Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event, the Durban July will be sponsored by South Africa’s leading betting operator Hollywoodbets, with effect from the 2022 renewal on Saturday 2 July.

The announcement of the new headline sponsor for the 2200m Grade 1 spectacular was accompanied by the news that the race will enjoy a prize increase of 250% over the 2021 offering and will carry a record stake of R5 million.

Hollywoodbets thus join Rothmans and Vodacom as only the third sponsor of the great race in 59 years.

In recognition of the vital role played by Grooms in the racing industry, Hollywoodbets and Gold Circle, simultaneously announced an increase in the awards for the Grooms of winning horses from R1 000 to R2 000 per race, for the months of March, April and May. This joint venture between the operator and Hollywoodbets, known as the Grooms Initiative, has already put almost R2 million into the pockets of a key sector of the industry since the launch in 2019.

Well-known as a community-focussed brand, Hollywoodbets, has a long-standing investment into the growth and success of horse racing, along with the upliftment of the communities within which they operate.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July is the flagship event on the East Coast’s KZN Champion Season roster, which will also be the recipient of a major stakes injection of R13 million. The increase in prize money for South Africa's preeminent racing season will apply to both feature and minor races run in the holiday province from 1 March to 31 August.
These ground-breaking announcements, which will be music to the ears of racing fans and the sport’s stakeholders countrywide, were made jointly by KZN racing operator Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets at an enthusiastically patronised cocktail function at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Thursday evening.

Hosted by well-known broadcasting personality and Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador Carol Tshabalala, invited guests included other sporting code personalities and dignitaries from local government and business.

The landmark City racecourse has been home to the Durban July through two World Wars, and the international sporting event dates back to Saturday 17 July 1897, when Campanajo crossed the line first in what was then a mile contest.

Commercial Manager for Hollywoodbets, Sandisiwe Bhengu said, “This is a watershed moment for Hollywoodbets as we proudly take the reins of this unique event. The success of our business was built on the foundation of horseracing, and now we are able to continue this legacy with the assistance of a powerful platform. It is a huge honour for us.”

“We aim to be more than just a title sponsor,” Bhengu said. “We align ourselves with projects we truly believe in, and the Hollywoodbets Durban July has the potential to spawn incredible opportunities and transformation.”

Ms Bhengu said that the vision for this era of the Hollywoodbets Durban July is to open the thrills and benefits of the racing industry to a wider demographic.

“The magnitude of this event extends way beyond just horse racing, covering tourism, entertainment, fashion and small to medium businesses. The reach and influence, both brand wise and economically, provides employment for thousands of people.”

Events and Marketing Executive at Gold Circle, Stephen Marshall said, “The Durban July is perhaps the most unique South African event in the manner it has mirrored our country’s own national journey. It has gone from strength-to-strength over the past 20 years because the social profile of the participants, attendees and audiences have undergone transformation on a parallel path with our society as a whole.

“With Hollywoodbets having joined us on this epic journey we hope to continue the legacy we have built,” he concluded.

The Durban July injected almost R300 million in GDP to the economy in 2019, the last year that the public was permitted to attend. It is an event that involves more than just the race day.

In a rousing climax to South African horse racing's best news all year, Hollywoodbets and Gold Circle extended an invite to everyone to join the incredible build-up to the big race day with showstopping entertainment and events planned around the city for the whole week, as well as after the event which will support a wide range of commerce.

Issued by: Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets

Great news for the industry but no out of the box innovation for the punter. I was expecting something fresh for the punting public at large.

Wonderful, especially during these difficult times 👏👏

Fantastic news and well done Hollywood, it was a much needed injection to the industry.

Great announcement.
Im of the opinion that HWB need to make a special provision for KZN based Trainers
with 3 compulsry entries.
The original July field usually cards 20 runners - 18 plus 2 reserves.
15 should be the guranteed 'raiders' and my suggested 3 locals

HWB calls the shots now.
World renoun local trainer might elevate himself to a Gr1 winner here.
HWB might end up with all three local entries and perhaps fill the trifect?
GVZ has merit to his recent satellite yard in Gp.

After the 4Racing deacle,KZN as to protect and promote their fratenity.
Hope Dev gets to read this.
Maybe some input from C Eudey,LGoosen...



i

Well done to the HollywoodBets team on a spectacular function and announcement. An excellent production and Carol and Sandisiwe were brilliant in their delivery.

[4Q Racing take note – no token appointments here, and these dollies will put all your and Tellycrap golden oldie presenters to shame, especially the same old same old down south and up north]

Had it not been for HWB and WSB stepping up to rescue 4Q and GC, our stake money for graded races would rival that of the Castle Tankard, which is what 4Q seems to be working towards [Ngong and Borrowdale racing model]

Yet another reminder to 4Q Racing that they are pissing in a gale force wind with zero understanding nor any plan to take the industry forward. The amateurs masquerading as the saviours of all things racing must pack it up , GC is not your target. Is there any announcement on the Triple Crown/Tiara stakes, which is staged before the HWB Durban July!!!

Saint well said

People seem to be getting carried away here now suggesting local trainer mandatory slots. The quality of the race is already at its lowest, let's not make it any worse. Fact, if your horse is good enough, it will get in. If not, or you didn't plan the horse's schedule correctly, you don't deserve the entry.

Thor wrote:

People seem to be getting carried away here now suggesting local trainer mandatory slots. The quality of the race is already at its lowest, let's not make it any worse. Fact, if your horse is good enough, it will get in. If not, or you didn't plan the horse's schedule correctly, you don't deserve the entry.

100% agree. They did it last year by putting in local no hopers that was way way under sufferance to much better horses that got elimenated in favour of horses that never deserved their place in our biggest race. The July deserve the best possible 18 horses and reserves. I still feel robbed by what they did last year.

According to IFHA rules, for a race to be a Graded event no restrictions is allowed except for age events and fillies and mares. Handicap races are allowed. In the end though the operator has the final say of which horses make the final field. This mostly happens in events like the Breeders Cup, Dubai World Cup Saudi Cup and The Pegasus. To circumvent the rules of which horses make it, they say by invite essentially making it sort of restricted.

Doyen wrote:

Great announcement.
Im of the opinion that HWB need to make a special provision for KZN based Trainers
with 3 compulsry entries.
The original July field usually cards 20 runners - 18 plus 2 reserves.
15 should be the guranteed 'raiders' and my suggested 3 locals

HWB calls the shots now.
World renoun local trainer might elevate himself to a Gr1 winner here.
HWB might end up with all three local entries and perhaps fill the trifect?
GVZ has merit to his recent satellite yard in Gp.

After the 4Racing deacle,KZN as to protect and promote their fratenity.
Hope Dev gets to read this.
Maybe some input from C Eudey,LGoosen...
i

Why restrict yourself to 3. Put in 16 of the 18 that are local and leave just 2 slots for the best raiders. Punters love a 50/50 decision.

Of course any increase in prize money is good news; however I think this issue needs to looked at objectively. Firstly, I would want to know what happens after the honeymoon period? Secondly I agree with the sentiment that some of the monies should be spent in upgrading the systems etc - in that way more punters will turn to HW and the turnover (and stakes) would grow 'organically' (what a wonderful word dreamt up by the pony-tails) - o yes I almost forgot - thanks HW for the R10 credit in my account on my birthday

But the main talking point imo to be cleared up (and maybe someone more up to date with the goings on will know - but at my age I'm struggling to keep up) should be whether racing in KZN will be shown on any channel on the DSTV box from March - I have read conflicting reports on this - one view is that one would be able to watch Gallop on a DSTV channel - but the other view (which I think is more plausible) is that the signal can be captured by the same dish that enables one to watch DSTV, but that one would need an additional decoder to watch Galloptv. In stead of all the waffle by both 4Racing and GC/Gallop, please just tell us what the way forward is ito watching racing on TV - and I know there are all sort of wonderful innovations enabling one to stream both offerings (Gallop and 4Racing) should one be lucky enough to be able to afford the data costs, but imo what is needed is for 'racing' in SA to survive' is that the warring factions should bury their differences and come to an agreement so that Joe Public can watch local racing as part of their DSTV (or Openview or whatever else) bouquet - and of course the 'more affordable' the 'racing channel/s' are to Joe Public, the more people will subscribe

Maybe I'm just too dof for the modern world :huh: