A nationally representative first entry of 58 of South Africa’s best have commenced the long road to Hollywoodbets Durban July glory on Saturday 6 July at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
The first entries for the 128th renewal of the R5 million Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July were unveiled by Gold Circle today as the 73 day countdown to South Africa’s greatest horseracing event commences in earnest.
Winchester Mansion – defence of the Hollywoodbets Durban July title? (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The number of entries compare favourably in quantum with recent years, when 60 were received in 2023, 68 in 2022, 53 in 2021, 52 in 2020, 49 in 2019, and 69 in 2018.
And in terms of class and depth, 2024 promises a vintage renewal with all of the big-hitters having thrown their hats into the ring in a quest for glory in a race that every owner, trainer, jockey and breeder wants to win.
There are five past winning trainers – Mike de Kock, Brett Crawford, Dean Kannemeyer, Justin Snaith, Sean Tarry and Alec Laird – with representation, and only Candice Bass-Robinson, Michelle Rix and Glen Kotzen, of the 21st century still active local conditioners, are not represented at this stage of the game.
As has been the norm for some years, Sean Tarry (10), Justin Snaith (8) and Mike de Kock (7) hold the aces in pure power of numbers.
Ten fillies and mares are included in the 58 entries, with 21st century fairer sex flagbearers including Sparkling Water (2022), Igugu (2011), Dancer’s Daughter (2008) and Ipi Tombe (2002).
Last year’s top two finishers, Winchester Mansion and See It Again, are back.
The beginnings of the class of ’24:
| SEE IT AGAIN | (4C) | 132 | Michael Roberts |
| MAIN DEFENDER | (3G) | 131 | Tony Peter |
| DAVE THE KING | (4G) | 126 | Mike de Kock |
| GIMME A NOTHER | (3F) | 125 | Mike de Kock |
| ROYAL VICTORY | (4G) | 125 | Nathan Kotzen |
| ROYAL AUSSIE | (4G) | 124 | Justin Snaith |
| WINCHESTER MANSION | (5G) | 124 | Brett Crawford |
| COUSIN CASEY | (4C) | 123 | Sean Tarry |
| PURPLE PITCHER | (3C) | 120 | Robyn Klaasen |
| WITHOUT QUESTION | (4G) | 120 | Justin Snaith |
| GREEN WITH ENVY | (3C) | 119 | Dean Kannemeyer |
| LUCKY LAD | (3C) | 119 | Sean Tarry |
| SON OF RAJ | (4G) | 119 | Tony Peter |
| ARAGOSTA | (5G) | 118 | Mike de Kock |
| FRANCES ETHEL | (3F) | 118 | Brett Crawford |
| WILLIAM IRON ARM | (3C) | 117 | Tony Peter |
| FUTURE PEARL | (4G) | 116 | Sean Tarry |
| MONTIEN | (4G) | 116 | Piet Botha |
| PURE PREDATOR | (3G) | 116 | Fanie Bronkhorst |
| SILVER SANCTUARY | (3F) | 116 | Mike de Kock |
| MONDIAL | (3G) | 115 | M G Azzie/A A Azzie |
| MY SOUL MATE | (3F) | 115 | Candice Dawson |
| SAFE PASSAGE | (5G) | 115 | Mike de Kock |
| HOTARUBI | (3G) | 114 | Sean Tarry |
| LET’S GO NOW | (3F) | 114 | Sean Tarry |
| MID WINTER WIND | (3G) | 114 | Sean Tarry |
| MASTER REDOUTE | (5G) | 113 | Andre Nel |
| ORIENTAL CHARM | (3C) | 113 | Brett Crawford |
| TRIPLE TIME | (4G) | 112 | Justin Snaith |
| ATTICUS FINCH | (4G) | 111 | Alec Laird |
| HLUHLUWE | (3G) | 111 | Justin Snaith |
| NEBRAAS | (7G) | 111 | Sean Tarry |
| MUCHO DINERO | (4G) | 110 | Justin Snaith |
| SAARTJIE | (4F) | 110 | Andre Nel |
| SHOEMAKER | (4G) | 110 | Mike de Kock |
| BARBARESCO | (3G) | 109 | J A Janse van Vuuren |
| SECOND BASE | (6G) | 107 | Robyn Klaasen |
| FORMAGEAR | (4G) | 106 | Peter Muscutt |
| CAPE EAGLE | (6G) | 105 | Andre Nel |
| IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA | (5G) | 105 | Gareth van Zyl |
| PERFECT WITNESS | (5M) | 105 | Candice Dawson |
| FUTURE SWING | (4G) | 103 | Justin Snaith |
| NAVAJO NATION | (3G) | 103 | Robbie Hill |
| PONTE PIETRA | (4G) | 103 | Dean Kannemeyer |
| RIVER ROMEO | (4G) | 101 | Lorenzo Karriem |
| NARINA TROGON | (4G) | 100 | Michael Miller |
| PYROMANIAC | (5G) | 100 | Sean Tarry |
| BARATHEON | (5G) | 98 | Piet Botha |
| GET IMPRESSED | (3G) | 96 | Justin Snaith |
| MARAUDING HORDE | (3C) | 96 | Mike de Kock |
| THE GREY KING | (3G) | 96 | Justin Snaith |
| CELTIC BEAUTY | (3F) | 94 | Tony Rivalland |
| POMODORO’S JET | (5G) | 93 | Brett Crawford |
| ANCIENT WORLD | (3G) | 92 | Michael Miller |
| CELESTIAL CITY | (5H) | 92 | Sean Tarry |
| JORDAN | (3G) | 91 | Sean Tarry |
| INDIAN OCEAN | (4F) | 90 | Lorenzo Karriem |
| DANSE MILORD | (5M) | 89 | M J Odendaal |
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Hollywoodbets Durban July timeline:.
- First declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 13 May.
- First supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 14 May.
- Second declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 3 June.
- Final supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 18 June.
- Weights will be published on Tuesday 18 June.
- Final declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 24 June.
- Final Field and Draw – announcement of the Final Field and Barrier Draws will be on Tuesday 25 June.
Only 20 horses will be carded – 18 + 2 Reserves. The reserves will be scratched by 08h15 on Friday 5 July.
Elimination will be at the sole and unfettered discretion of Gold Circle.
