Drama! Last year’s winning owner Chris Van Niekerk hugs his pilot, Piere Strydom
The Durban July has come a long way since 1897 when it was first run for a stake of 500 sovereigns.The race will be run later this year for an increased stake of R3,5 million.
Th exciting news of the increased stake was jointly announced today by Gold Circle and Vodacom, who have also agreed to a further three year sponsorship.
Vodacom, the biggest telecommunications company in sub-Saharan Africa, have been associated with the July since 2002.
The great race always provides plenty of spills and thrills.
There have only been two winning dead heats in the history of the race. The first one took place in 1967 when Jollify and Sea Cottage could not be separated.
2008 saw the crowd favourites locked together in a driving finish for glory. History shows that the mighty Pocket Power and the exceptional filly Dancer’s Daughter crossed the finishing line as one.
Thrilled. Vodacom’s Enzo Scarcella has signed for a further three years
The race was first run over 1600m. In 1906 the distance changed to 1 mile 68 yards (approx 1670m), in 1913 to 1 mile 1 furlong (approx 1800m), in 1915 to 1/4 miles (approx 2000m) and remained so until 1940.
In1941 the distance was changed to 1 mile 2 1/4 furlongs (approx 2100m) and it was only in 1970 that it was changed to its current distance of 2200m.
In making the announcement, Graeme Hawkins, Gold Circle’s Racing and Marketing Executive expressed his delight at the increase in prize money contained in the renewed deal, as Vodacom enters its second decade as principal sponsor: “The Vodacom Durban July is the most prestigious horse race in the country and it is appropriate that the race carries a stake worthy of its status as Africa’s Greatest Horserace. Importantly, Vodacom has become a name synonymous with the race and the day.”
Enzo Scarcella, Vodacom’s Managing Executive of Marketing, remarked that the Vodacom Durban July must certainly rank as one of the top South African sporting and lifestyle events. “As Africa’s Greatest Horserace, the Durban July is one of the esteemed institutions of South African sport, with a tradition going back well over a century. So naturally, Vodacom is delighted to extend its association with this grand event,” he said.
“It is one of the essential dates on the social calendar, attracting the cream of local society, where the fashion stakes among punters compete with the quality of the field of fine Thoroughbreds that race for glory on the track, in a manner befitting the Sport of Kings. Sharing a similar commitment to excellence, we are proud that such an auspicious occasion has become synonymous with Vodacom.”
