About the Vodacom Durban July

Next Vodacom Durban July race : Saturday 5th July 2008

The Durban July is South Africa's equivalent of Britain's Royal Ascot with superb horse racing, high fashion, elegance, fine cuisine and champagne. It is the one meeting of the year where knowledge of horse racing is not a requirement to have a fantastic day out.

First held in July 1897, the Durban July - for much of its history known as the Rothman's July, and most recently sponsored by Vodacom - is one of the most talked about and attended social gatherings amongst South African racing fans and the premier race for thoroughbreds. With over R1.5 million at the stake, the race - run at the Greyville Racecourse - is the Blue Riband of the South African turf, and is the one race everyone has a flutter on!

The History of the Durban July horse race [ past winners ]

First held in July 1897, the Durban July - for much of its history known as the Rothman's July, and most recently sponsored by Vodacom - is one of the most talked about and attended social gatherings amongst South African racing fans and the premier race for thoroughbreds. With over R1.5 million at the stake, the race - run at the Greyville Racecourse - is the Blue Riband of the South African turf, and is the one race everyone has a flutter on!

From humble beginnings in a race which in 1897 attracted just seven mediocre animals it has grown into Africa's premier horse racing Event. It was not long after it's start however, before businesses started closing at noon to enable the entire settlement to attend the races, and as the race day continued to grow in popularity, it began to draw crowds from all corners of South Africa who wanted to share in the excitement generated by the great event.

The race was sponsored for the first time in 1963 by Rothmans with the massive stake at the time of R30 000. Under this sponsorship the race quickly grew into a sporting event which stopped the nation - a race in which victory meant instant inclusion in horse racing's folklore for owner, trainer, jockey, breeder and horse. Even with new sponsors Vodacom onboard, the race is still often referred to as "The Rothmans". (A similar fate beleaguers Mr. Price who sponsor Africa's only points scoring surf event in Durban. For many years it was sponsored by the cigarette brand Gunston and called "the Gunston 500". People still often refer to it as "The Gunston")

The amphitheatric nature of the Greyville venue adds to the mystique of this unique day. This is an occasion full of good cheer and stories of what was and what might have been, about bookies and tote attendants who hand out those tickets that promise the world and very often make dreams come true.

In 2002 the race was sponsored by Vodacom who have added their own special cachet to the occasion.

Whichever way you look at it the Vodacom Durban July is a unique event that gets the spine a-tingling, the heart pounding and the adrenaline flowing just a little quicker than usual. Cliched, but true, there is simply no other event in Africa quite like the Vodacom Durban July.

Past winners