Your July Number’s Up

Five greys have won the race – Majmu carries that hope in 2015

Racing is often called a numbers game. Here we go with some interesting trivia about the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July – enough to make anybody look like an expert!

1. Only 1 Black jockey has ever won the Vodacom Durban July. His name is S’manga Khumalo and he won aboard Heavy Metal in 2013.
2. There have only ever been 2 dead-heats declared in the history of the Durban July. The first between Sea Cottage and Jollify in 1967, and the other between Pocket Power and Dancer’s Daughter in 2008.
3. There are 3 fillies in this year’s race and they are all three-year olds viz. Majmu, Pine Princess and Tamaanee.
4. Champion trainer Mike De Kock and his stable jockey Anthony Delpech have each won the July on 4 occasions.
5. 5 grey horses have won this race in the past. Majmu with saddle cloth number 5 is the only grey in this year’s race.
6. The horse wearing saddle cloth 6 has won this race 6 times. Gold Onyx represents this number and he is the rank outsider in the field at 100/1.
7. The record number of wins by a trainer is 7 and legendary trainer’s Syd Laird and Terrance Millard share the honour.
8. The first ever running of the July Handicap in 1897 was contested over 8 furlongs i.e. 1600m.
9. Last year’s promoted winner Legislate wore saddle cloth number 9.
10. 10 years ago, jockey Anton Marcus and trainer Mike Bass teamed up for their only July win as a partnership on Dunford. Incidentally, Marcus partners number 10 Legal Eagle who is this year’s favourite.
11. In the past two July running’s, the eventual winners have jumped from stall gate 11. Should the two reserve runners be withdrawn, then Ice Machine will jump from that barrier position.
12. South Africa’s leading bookmaker, HOLLYWOODBETS.NET, has opened 12 more shops since last year’s July, taking their overall tally to a whopping 76.
13. Champion filly Ipi Tombe won the Durban July, 13 years ago with now retired jockey Kevin Shea in the saddle.
14. The famous El Picha came out of stall gate 14 when he won his first Durban July in 1999.
15. Jockey Anton Marcus won his second Durban July 15 years ago on El Picha in 2000.
16. The last July winner with saddle cloth 16 was Bush Telegraph. He was partnered to victory by Hollywood-sponsored trainer Garth Puller in 1987.
17. Number 17 Pine Princess is the pick of Winning Form’s resident tipster eMeM.
18. Australian apprentice jockey makes his first Vodacom Durban July appearance on The Conglomerate and jumps from barrier draw number 18.
19. Jockey Piere Strydom rode his first July winner 19 years ago when he partnered London News to victory for trainer Alec Laird.
20. Veteran jockey Johnny Geroudis won his only July aboard the ‘little pony’ Teal 20 years ago.