Hollywoodbets Durban July 2026: Latest antepost odds

The 130th running of the Hollywoodbets Durban July is set to make history with a record-breaking R10 million prize purse, the richest ever offered for a graded stakes race on African soil.

The iconic race, hosted by Race Coast, will take place on Saturday, 4 July, continuing its status as one of the continent’s premier sporting and social events.

Backed for a fifth consecutive year by Hollywoodbets, the event’s prize money has doubled year-on-year, underlining its growing prestige on the global racing calendar.

Return to traditional handicap format

In a significant shift, organisers have confirmed a return to the race’s traditional open handicap conditions – a move aimed at increasing competitiveness and restoring the event’s historic character.

Key changes include:

• Top weight increased from 60kg to 62kg
• Bottom weight reduced from 53kg to 52kg

This restores the full 10kg spread between runners, a defining feature of classic handicap racing designed to level the playing field and create more unpredictable, competitive outcomes.

Latest odds

A look at the latest antepost odds ahead of the race shows that Cape trainer Justin Snaith will be tough to beat.

Snaith, at the time of publishing, trains the top five horses in the betting.

See It Again tops the boards at 6/1, followed by Note To Self and Eight On Eighteen, both at 7/1.

Then come the fast-improving Wish List (10/1) and Okavango (25/2).

The latter is listed alongside last year’s winner, The Real Prince, from the Dean Kannemeyer yard.

First entries

The first entry roll is headlined by last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July top two finishers, Dean Kannemeyer’s The Real Prince, and Justin Snaith’s SA Horse Of The Year Eight On Eighteen, and includes 11 Grade 1 stars, with 29 individual yards representing all of our major racing centres.

Seven of the 29 stables with entries have won the great race previously, with reigning SA champion Justin Snaith and international big-hitter Mike de Kock, now in partnership with his son Mathew, tied on five previous winners each. Between the two leading yards, they hold a power hand of 14 entries.

Another trainer with a strong entry is Alec Laird, who won the Durban July in 1996 with London News. The Randjesfontein-based horseman has a sextet of entries, headed by 2024 Summer Cup hero Atticus Finch.

The 2025 Summer Cup winner Mocha Blend is also in the mix. The daughter of Ideal World runs in the famous black and yellow silks carried by Hunting Tower and Greys Inn, who won the Durban July in 2007 and 2004 respectively, and were also carried with pride in this great race by four Oppenheimer family champions of last century.

Off an MR of 117, Frank Robinson’s champion Mocha Blend is the jointly highest-rated female alongside Corne Spies star Hazy Dazy, who recently went down narrowly in her bid for Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara honours.

Single entry

Reigning Hollywoodbets Durban July winning trainer Dean Kannemeyer has four of the prized trophies in his cabinet dating back to Dynasty in 2003, and holds just the single entry of defending champion, The Real Prince.

Milnerton resident Candice Bass made history in 2017 when Marinaresco’s victory bestowed on her the honour of the first lady trainer to saddle a winner of the Durban July. Alongside Randjesfontein-based sisters Candice and Tammy Dawson, and leading horsewoman Robyn Klaasen, the fairer sex stable flag is carried by eight entries.

Former multiple national champion trainer Sean Tarry won the Durban July in 2012 and 2013, and his trio of entries is headed by recent HKJC World Pool Grade 1 SA Classic star Grand Empire.

The first 12 finishers, up from 10 previously, will now earn prize money, while the winning connections will bank a record R6 million.

All roads will lead to Hollywoodbets Greyville

To uphold the integrity of this world-class contest, Race Coast will assemble a five-person national panel of racing experts, responsible for determining the final field.

A final field of 20 – including two reserve runners – will be announced on Tuesday, 23 June.

All roads will lead to Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 4 July. General admission entrance tickets are now on sale via Ticketpro.

Until 7 May, these will be available at a special, ‘Early Bird’ price of R250.

Hollywoodbets Durban July 2026 timeline:

• First declarations: 11:00 on Monday, 11 May
• First supplementary entries: 11:00 on Tuesday, 12 May
• Second declarations:11:00 on Monday, 8 June
• Final supplementary entries: 11:00 on Monday, 15 June
• Weights: Monday, 15 June 
• Final declarations: 11:00 on Monday, 22 June
• Final field & draws: Tuesday, 23 June
• Public gallops: Thursday, 25 June