The Durban July Handicap is the most popular horse racing event on the New Zealand calendar. The name of the horse race describes the venue where it is held along with the month of the year, making it very easy to identify. People all over New Zealand look forward to this particular event, as do I. Placing a bet on a horse that you think has a chance of winning or at least placing is not a bad way to spend an afternoon. Dressing to impress while trying not to overheat is a challenge the fashionable accept, and the purse parties are the way to make sure all your friends have the best time possible at the races.

Join thousands of other New Zealand racing fans and place your bets on the Durban July odds. The event takes place on July 6th at the Greyville Racecourse in Durban. If you can't make it to South Africa, you can watch the action live via a web stream. You can bet on the July horse race at any of the many horse racing sites in New Zealand. The prizes are so amazing, you'll just have to click over to one of these sites to find out what they are.

 

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Durban July 2025 Predictions

The exciting event, scheduled for 2025, will take place on Saturday, July 1st at the iconic Greyville Racecourse in Durban. Sparkling Juice will be back to defend his title after winning the previous edition and trainer Khumalo will no doubt be hoping to see his horse become a double champion! The weather forecast promises perfect conditions for the weekend.

As anticipation builds for the 2025 Vodacom Durban July, a number of familiar and not-so-familiar names have emerged as potential frontrunners. Among them are Jet Bright, last year's runner-up, and Safe Voyage, who we understand was doing so well the last time we saw him that he may have a decent chance of making an impact this year. Jet Bright and Safe Voyage are known to be among the racers that will make this edition of the Durban July a great watch and, in all likelihood, a great spectacle.

The event that many are looking forward to is just around the corner, and the excitement is palpable. Most are looking at the upcoming event as a likely rematch of this year's event, which saw Do It Once finish a close second to Kommetdieding. Aside from Do It Once, Lerena's Kommetdieding, Merwe's Asterix, Fourie's Pomp and Power, and Van Niekirk's Linebacker are all strong contenders for next year's event. However, there may be some surprises in the next edition.

Durban July History

The Vodacom Durban July is a horse racing event held every year in Durban, South Africa. 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 participants!

The biggest horse racing event in South Africa is the Vodacom Durban July. It takes place every year on the first Saturday of July, this year semi-virtually thanks to COVID-19, at Greyville Racecourse. Since 1897, when the July began, only five horses have been good enough to win it in two consecutive years. They are Campanajo (1897, 1898), Severus (1906, 1907), Milesia Pride (1949, 1950), El Picha (1999, 2000) and Do It Again (2018, 2019). The next Vodacom Durban July double winner will be in 2025!

Ante Post Betting for Durban July

Countless bookmakers offer betting opportunities on the July race, but few offer compelling odds. The New Zealand bookmakers that we list as our recommended choices offer the kind of betting lines that make the race worth betting on. They are also quite generous with the pots and prizes. The race pool is connected to the big international betting pool, so the already substantial prize pot is pumped up even more. In the end, you may find that even with the linked bets and the shared prize pool, the odds on the horse you want to back are still quite good.

Durban July 2025 Horses

Justin Snaith won the 2018 edition of the July Horse Race, riding on the shoulders of runner Do It Again. It makes sense that he would be among the contenders again this year. The July Handicap is the most anticipated race, with many of the contenders going through a rigorous qualification process before they can enter the actual race. The qualifying races have also shaped the way most sportsbooks have set odds for the race on the first Saturday of July 2023. In total there are 10 races to qualify for the Durban July Handicap.


Ante Post Betting for Durban July

Betting Tips for the July 2025

The success rate for three-year-olds in the Durban July Handicap is quite high, at least if you look at the numbers over the past few years. Since 1998, 60% of the races have been won by three-year-olds, and four-year-olds are also doing quite well in terms of winning the race. But what really struck me about the piece is the down-to-earth talk about the nature of the animal and the nature of the race itself. It's an open race, which means that favorites don't really win that often. In fact, in the last 14 years, only three favorites have won the race.

The prize money for the Durban July is currently R5 million. In 2021 it will be R4.25 million. So what does that mean? Well, in the equation of horse racing, money is a motivator for both human and equine participants.

  • When there are eight races and a large number of horses running, players need to be on the lookout for potential non-runners before placing their bets. Why? Because horses sometimes withdraw at the last moment before the start of a race and this can have a significant effect on the odds of the other horses. And it stands to reason that you should take this into consideration when deciding which horse to put your money on.
  • The area tends to get a lot of rain in July, which can work its way onto the track - and into the performance of the jockeys and horses. Some horses are sure-footed in inclement weather, while others seem to be thrown off by Mother Nature's wet side.

List of Past Winners of the Durban July Handicap

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/Dancers Daughter